Riley Cote Reflects on How Cannabis Acceptance Has Evolved in the NHL
PHILADELPHIA, PA — In a candid conversation this summer, former NHL enforcer Riley Cote reflected on how drastically the climate around therapeutic cannabis has shifted since his playing days. Today, he says, openness is no longer the exception—it’s increasingly accepted across locker rooms, front offices, and the broader hockey culture.
Cote, who suited up for the Philadelphia Flyers between 2006 and 2010, has become a prominent advocate for cannabis—especially its potential for pain management, anxiety relief, and recovery from brain trauma. He now frequently contrasts the stigma he faced on ice with the growing acceptance of cannabis in professional sports.
“It’s night and day, honestly, from back when I played,” Cote told PhillyVoice.
When he was an active player, Cote says, cannabis use was largely hidden. He recalls how players who used it did so quietly—avoiding detection, lacking medical terminology, and shrouding their actions in secrecy. “We did have to hide our cannabis use,” he said, adding that many around him were using it but lacked the language to explain or defend the practice.
Even though cannabis is not officially banned by the NHL, its status under the joint NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse & Behavioral Health Program has long placed usage in a gray area. Players testing positive for THC don’t face the same disciplinary measures as they would in leagues like the NFL or NBA—but they can be referred to support programs.
Cote argues that even this leniency was insufficient in his era. Back then, he estimates, “at least half” of players used cannabis medicinally, though most did so discreetly. He credits his own use with helping him manage performance anxiety, sleep disturbances, and the daily wear and tear of a physically punishing role.
In contrast, the modern NHL climate has loosened. Cote notes that players increasingly talk openly about cannabis in the context of recovery, with many preferring low-dose THC or CBD-based edibles over alcohol or heavier pharmaceuticals. A survey cited in PhillyVoice found that 38 percent of NHL players reported using cannabis edibles during the season.
Cote also sees a cultural shift away from the league’s entrenched drinking culture. In his view, alcohol was once the default way players numbed pain or anxiety; now, he says, more are turning toward mindful cannabis use. “We’ve gone from drinking beers on the bus to guys using infused coconut oil and peanut butter after games,” he told PhillySportsNetwork.
Beyond personal testimony, Cote has become an institutional advocate. He co-founded Athletes for Care, a nonprofit promoting holistic wellness for current and former athletes, and launched the Hemp Heals Foundation to educate the public on hemp’s benefits.
Cote is clear-eyed: while acceptance has progressed, challenges remain. He calls for stronger education, nuanced policy changes in pro leagues, and better clinical research to validate cannabis as a safe therapeutic tool.
“I’m not here to tell anyone what to do. I’m here to share what worked for me,” he said. “If it helps someone else manage anxiety, sleep better, or drink less — that’s a win.”
For Cote, the journey is more than advocacy — it’s a mission to transform the perception of cannabis from taboo to tool, especially for athletes whose bodies and minds demand alternative solutions.