Historical context & league policy
Historically, cannabis was stigmatized and often considered a taboo or banned substance in professional sports. Over time, policies in many leagues have shifted, or at least softened, particularly around medical and therapeutic use.
In the NHL, cannabis is not classified as a strictly banned substance in the same way as in the NFL, NBA, or MLB. The league maintains a policy of testing players (for example, “no-notice” tests during training camp and the regular season), but positive tests are not met with automatic punishment in most cases. Instead, they may be treated as a health and wellness issue if THC levels are “abnormally high.” This more tolerant, health-oriented approach contrasts with the punitive models in some other leagues.
Still, within the organizational and team cultures, attitudes have lagged behind policy. Some executives reportedly remain wary of any player association with cannabis.
Notable players & advocates
Riley Cote
Riley Cote is often cited as one of the most vocal hockey figures supporting cannabis. As an enforcer during his NHL career, Cote has said he used cannabis quietly to manage pain and anxiety. After retiring, he co-founded Athletes for Care, which advocates for athlete health issues (including cannabis), and launched the Hemp Heals Foundation to promote hemp education. In interviews, Cote has suggested that he would favor players using cannabis over alcohol for recovery, saying he believes it supports performance, better sleep, and recovery.
Darren McCarty
Darren McCarty, a former Detroit Red Wings forward and four-time Stanley Cup winner, has publicly credited cannabis with helping him overcome substance abuse and regain control over his life. He has partnered with advocacy efforts and various cannabis businesses to reduce stigma and promote therapeutic use. McCarty’s narrative is often framed in terms of recovery: he describes cannabis as part of his journey away from alcohol and prescription pill dependence.
Other figures / emerging voices
- While not as prominent, Ryan VandenBussche, a former enforcer, has promoted “plant-based medicines” more broadly and is engaged in a “nutraceutical health and wellness” business.
- Robin Lehner, though not known as a cannabis advocate specifically, is a former NHL goaltender who has spoken openly about addiction, mental health, and substance use in hockey; his willingness to discuss those issues creates space for broader conversations, including around cannabis.
- In recent years, surveys suggest increasing informal use among current players: one interview with over three dozen NHL players found about 38 % admit to using cannabis edibles during the season. While not all are “advocates,” this attitudinal shift is part of the cultural backdrop in which advocacy operates.
Motivations, risks & tensions
Motivations
- Pain management & recovery: Many player advocates frame cannabis as a safer alternative to opioids or heavy painkillers, especially for managing chronic aches, injuries, or inflammatory conditions. Cote and McCarty both emphasize this narrative.
- Mental health & anxiety: Some even cite benefits in reducing anxiety, calming nerves, or aiding sleep — aspects often under-attended in contact sports.
- Destigmatization: Public voices hope to shift perception — both within teams and in broader society — so that athletes can explore therapeutic options without fear.
Risks & conflict
- Performance concerns: Cannabis, especially THC, may impair coordination, reaction time, decision-making — all critical in hockey. While empirical data is limited, some analyses warn of these risks.
- Policy ambiguity: Though the NHL is relatively permissive, the threshold for “abnormally high” THC levels is murky, and testing is still in place, which can create uncertainty for players.
- Team culture & stigma: Even if league rules allow, individual teams, general managers, or coaches may resist open association with cannabis, viewing it as a liability.
- Cross-border and legal complications: For players traveling between U.S. states, Canada, or other jurisdictions with differing legal status, transporting cannabis or related products can pose legal risk.
Outlook & significance
The fact that multiple former NHL players now actively champion cannabis suggests a turning point in the sport’s conversations around substance use, recovery, and athlete health. Their voices help shift discourse from prohibition toward harm reduction, therapeutic exploration, and autonomy. The NHL’s relatively hands-off testing policy offers room for dialogue, although many structural, cultural, and legal obstacles remain.
As more research emerges about cannabinoids, recovery, brain health, and athletic performance, these athlete advocates may increasingly be viewed as pioneers in a broader rethinking of how contact sports manage long-term wellness, injury, and the lingering effects of a physically punishing career.
