The adult use of cannabis has been legalized in more states as years go by. 18 States have legalized the use of cannabis recreationally and more are on the way. If anyone over the age of 21 can purchase and use cannabis in these respective states, then athletes should be able to as well. Cannabis does not enhance sports performance, if anything it slows one’s response time. However, it can assist in providing the physical and mental rest athletes need after training so vigorously for their competitions. Professional athletes put their bodies on the line every day. Cannabis may help decrease discomfort from injuries that can occur from putting this kind of stress on your joints and muscles. Most of the time, to deal with pain, athletes are given painkillers and opioids which can be addicting and can cause health issues in the future. Studies show that Cannabis may mitigate the risk of that altogether.
Furthermore, for some, cannabis use can help with the mental component of anxiety and stress that many professional athletes have stated that they experience. Fatigue and stress can negatively affect an athlete’s ability to compete at the high level that they strive to achieve. To think Sha’Carri Richardson and other athletes are disqualified/scrutinized for testing positive for THC, the psychoactive chemical in cannabis, is mind-boggling to me, particularly if you consider the fact that cannabis would likely decrease one’s athletic ability.
-Anmol
