List of Football Players Who Smoke Weed

• Cannabis use is widespread in the NFL – Travis Kelce has estimated 50-80% of players use cannabis, primarily for pain management and recovery rather than recreation
• Policy changes reflect shifting attitudes – Under the 2020 CBA, the NFL limited cannabis testing to a short training-camp window, raised the THC threshold to 150 ng/mL, and replaced suspensions for positive tests with fines
• Former players are building cannabis businesses – Stars like Calvin Johnson (Primitiv), Marshawn Lynch (Dodi Blunts), and Ricky Williams (Real Wellness, Highsman) have launched successful cannabis brands
• Cannabis serves as an opioid alternative – In a study of former NFL players, 52% reported opioid use during their careers, and 71% of those reported misuse, with cannabis offering a safer path for pain management with a different risk profile than opioids
• Medical research validates athlete experiences – In 2022, the NFL and NFLPA awarded two $500,000 grants (total $1 million) to UC San Diego and University of Regina to study cannabinoids for pain and concussion-related outcomes
• Consumption methods are diversifying – In many mature markets, flower’s market share has fallen below 50% as edibles, vapes, and other forms grow, with athletes increasingly using edibles, topicals, and tinctures for targeted recovery
• Neuroprotective benefits are emerging – A retrospective study found TBI patients who tested positive for THC had lower in-hospital mortality, though causality isn’t established and more research is needed

Ricky Williams rushed for over 10,000 career yards and became one of the first prominent NFL athletes to openly advocate for cannabis, creating separate ventures focused on recovery and wellness. His journey represents the transition between punitive drug policies and today’s more accepting sports environment.

• Multiple suspensions for marijuana during his NFL career.
• First high-profile NFL advocate for athlete cannabis use, both publicly and in interviews.
• Founded Real Wellness (2018) and Highsman (2021), two cannabis brands focusing on athlete recovery.
• Majority of NFL athletes use cannabis, according to Williams’s statements.
• Business success legitimizes cannabis industry for other athletes.
• Platform for destigmatization, bridging punitive era and current reforms.

Josh Gordon’s talent in the NFL was undeniable, but his career was deeply affected by repeated marijuana-related suspensions. He is now viewed as a cautionary example that spurred reform of league drug policies.

• Multiple NFL suspensions under substance-abuse policy.
• Lost prime playing years due to rigid marijuana rules.
• Highlighting excessive penalties, pushing conversation about policy change.
• Public struggles humanized the debate, putting a face to career costs.
• Modern policy would not disrupt talent as in Gordon’s era.

Eugene Monroe set history as the first active NFL player to publicly advocate cannabis for pain management and policy reform. His bold actions paved the way for open athlete discussion and future league changes.

• Wrote op-ed in 2016 advocating medical cannabis over pharmaceuticals.
• Switched from prescription drugs to cannabis due to adverse effects.
• Executive roles in the cannabis industry, notably at Green Thumb Industries.
• Frontline activist with Athletes for CARE and other organizations.
• Inspired other players to share stories and discuss cannabis use.
• Helped normalize cannabis conversation in NFL locker rooms.

Marshawn Lynch, famous for his “Beast Mode” play, built a holistic approach to cannabis, using it for recovery and launching a brand with a strong social mission. He exemplifies the new wave of athlete-driven business and advocacy.

• Launched Dodi Blunts, a pre-rolled cannabis brand.
• Uses cannabis for recovery from football’s physical demands.
• Focus on social equity, targeting community impact for Black and brown populations.
• Business reflects personal consumption preferences and reinvests in communities.
• Represents community empowerment and a business opportunity for athletes.
• Addresses social justice in the crowded market of celebrity cannabis products.

Calvin “Megatron” Johnson, an NFL Hall of Famer, entered the industry by launching Primitiv, a cannabis brand. He brings credibility to cannabis use for athletes and advocates more diverse consumption methods for recovery.

• Launched Primitiv (2021) in Michigan dispensaries.
• Used cannabis after every NFL game for pain and recovery.
• Offers multiple product forms (flower, edibles, wax).
• Credibility helps normalize cannabis for athletes and fans.
• Speaks about chronic pain management, positioning cannabis as an alternative to opioids and anti-inflammatories.
• Success proves athletes can transition from sports to cannabis industry.

Randy Gregory’s playing career was repeatedly interrupted by drug policy suspensions, but his resilience brought him back as a voice for mental health and reform. His experience demonstrates the consequences of outdated policies.

• Missed most of 2016–2019 seasons due to marijuana policy violations.
• Resilience shown in his return to professional football.
• Experience aided reform advocates, showcasing policy flaws.
• Openly shares cannabis’s role in managing his anxiety and mental health.
• Helped reduce stigma around both cannabis and psychological wellness in sports.
• Career trajectory permanently shifted, unlike players starting under new policies.

Diego Maradona, legendary soccer star, became notorious for his expulsion from the 1994 World Cup after substance testing. His story continues to illustrate the tension between athlete welfare, substance use, and regulatory policies.

• Expelled from World Cup (1994) due to positive ephedrine test.
• Highlighted drug testing inconsistencies and harsh consequences in international sports.
• Struggled with substance abuse after his football career.
• Example of complex athlete pressure, pain management, and substance use interplay.
• International comparisons show differing cannabis and stimulant policies.
• Career illustrates punitive policy impact, often worsening athlete challenges.

The connection between cannabis and brain health in football is particularly compelling given the sport’s concussion crisis. Research shows that 99% of donated NFL player brains examined showed signs of CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy), while the league reported 224 concussions during the 2019 preseason and season alone. Against this backdrop, emerging research suggests cannabis may offer neuroprotective benefits:

• A retrospective study found patients with THC in their system had lower in-hospital mortality from traumatic brain injury, though causality isn’t established and more research is needed
• CBD shows promise for reducing inflammation, regulating cerebral blood flow, and enhancing neurogenesis after concussions
• The NFL’s two $500,000 grants (total $1 million) specifically target concussion prevention and treatment

While Herb is not medical professionals and content is educational only, the scientific evidence suggests cannabis may play a role in protecting athlete brains from the cumulative damage of repetitive head trauma. This research provides scientific validation for what many players have experienced anecdotally – that cannabis helps them manage the cognitive and physical symptoms of brain injury.

Despite the stereotype of athletes “smoking weed,” research shows that smoking is becoming the minority method of cannabis consumption among medical users. Key findings include:

• In many mature markets, flower’s market share has fallen below 50% as edibles, vapes, and other forms grow
• Edibles account for at least 21% of sales in most states
• More than 45% of cannabis users prefer non-smoking methods (edibles, tinctures, topicals)
• 22% use completely non-psychoactive forms like CBD tinctures

This diversification reflects athletes’ sophisticated understanding of cannabis medicine. Players like Ricky Williams use “salves, tonics, CBD-only products” alongside traditional smoking, while others focus on targeted delivery methods like topicals for specific injuries. The Herb Products Catalog reflects this diversity, offering categories like Oils, Topicals, Edibles, and Vape Pens to help users discover the right products for their needs. Athletes often choose consumption methods based on the timing and nature of their needs: fast-acting vapes or tinctures for acute pain, topicals for localized muscle soreness, and edibles for sustained overnight recovery.

The trend of former NFL players launching cannabis businesses represents a significant shift in sports culture. Notable examples include:

• Calvin Johnson: Primitiv brand in Michigan (2021)
• Marshawn Lynch: Dodi Blunts focusing on community impact
• Ricky Williams: Real Wellness (2018) and Highsman (2021) wellness brands
• Joe Montana: venture fund participated in Caliva’s $75M funding round

This entrepreneurship wave demonstrates that athletes see cannabis not just as personal medicine but as a legitimate business opportunity. These ventures help destigmatize cannabis use while creating economic opportunities in an emerging industry. The success of these athlete-founded brands validates the market demand for cannabis products tailored to athletic recovery and wellness.