The fourth student presentation this week in the Marijuana Law and Policy seminar at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law will explore how sports organizations are responding to modern marijuana reform. Here is how the student previews his topic along with some background reading:
It’s clear that marijuana reform in the United States has evolved rapidly over the past decade, but what’s less discussed is how those changes are impacting sports policy. I wanted to explore that shift, particularly how sports organizations are moving away from punitive approaches and toward frameworks centered on athlete health and well-being.
Historically, sports governing bodies treated cannabis as a banned substance, often grouping it into the broader “anti-drug” framework without distinguishing between performance enhancement, off-field use, or pain management. Athletes were subject to testing, suspensions, and fines, even when cannabis use had little connection to competitive fairness.
My presentation focuses on how that approach is changing. I look specifically at the NCAA’s 2024 decision to remove cannabis from its banned substances list and what that signals about a broader shift in how sports organizations view marijuana. I also examine how professional leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB have adopted more permissive policies, often treating cannabis as a health or labor issue rather than a disciplinary one.
Background reading:
“Higher Hoops? The Changing Place of Cannabis in College Athletics“
“NCAA council votes to remove cannabis from banned drug list, removes limits on on-field coaches“
“Breaking Down the Cannabis Policies of Every Major North American Sports League“