In the past few years, the sports world has seen plenty of changes when it comes to marijuana policies for athletes. NCAA Division I has removed cannabis from its banned substances for postseason play, reflecting broader shifts in acceptance across sports. Former NFL player and advocate Eugene Monroe has called for research into cannabis for concussion treatment and pain management.
Similarly, both the MLB and the NBA have gradually relaxed testing thresholds and penalties. But the one major league that has seen the most amount of change in marijuana acceptance would be the NHL and one of the players that was at front-end of this shift is Riley Cote, who now hopes to change the culture around marijuana in the professional sports world.
Riley Cote, a retired enforcer and left winger, had previously played for the Philadelphia Flyers for four seasons between 2006 and 2010. During that time, the wear and tear from frequent fights with other players during games left him sore, anxious, and in need of effective, sustainable recovery methods.
Cote first encountered cannabis around age 15 while growing up in Winnipeg, Manitoba; initially recreational, he later discovered its therapeutic benefits once he entered pro hockey. He found it helpful for pain, anxiety, sleep, and recovery; effectively calming his nerves and offering mental clarity amid the physical and emotional stress of fighting.
By the time he turned pro he was using cannabis quietly during the season, particularly at home, alongside other players who likewise consumed but kept it discreet due to cultural taboos and the league’s ambiguity around usage.
After retiring in 2010, Cote became a leading advocate for cannabis and hemp. He co‑founded Athletes for Care, a nonprofit promoting holistic well‑being for current and retired athletes, encompassing cannabis, botanical medicine, meditation, and yoga.
He also founded the Hemp Heals Foundation, dedicated to educating the public about hemp’s nutritional and industrial benefits. He serves on the Pennsylvania Hemp Industry Council and co‑founded Bodychek Wellness, a health brand producing CBD extracts and functional mushroom blends. Through these efforts, Cote aims to legitimize cannabis and hemp as tools for recovery, mental health, and sustainable living, not just for athletes but for society at large.
In the years since Cote’s retirement, marijuana use among NHL players has grown exponentially and has shown no signs of slowing down. A recent survey reported that about 38% of NHL players have used cannabis edibles during the regular season and players are increasingly opting for cannabis and video games instead of traditional alcohol-fueled partying.
Many players view cannabis, especially a balanced blend of THC and CBD edibles, as a more effective and gentler option for pain relief, relaxation, stress-management, and sleep, compared to alcohol or pharmaceuticals.
Other ex-players like Darren McCarty, who credited cannabis with helping overcome addiction, and Justin Selman, who used it after concussions, have also spoken out in favor of its benefits. Brett Hull, an NHL legend, launched a medical marijuana strain called “No. 16” and a dispensary called Hippos. He champions cannabis as an alternative to opioids for chronic pain relief.
Historically (and surprisingly), The NHL has long taken a notably lenient stance on marijuana compared to other North American sports leagues. While cannabis remains on the list of substances under the NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse & Behavioral Health Program, players testing positive are not punished. Instead, those with concerning results are referred to the program for support.
Riley Cote with the Calder Cup in 2005. Photo Credit: TheAHL, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
This policy, in place since 1996, positions the NHL as unique among the “big four” leagues in treating cannabis more as a health concern than a disciplinary issue. In light of Canada’s legalization of recreational cannabis in 2018, league officials acknowledged the need to address cross‑border implications (as NHL teams span Canada and the US) but opted for educational approaches rather than punitive measures. Commissioner Gary Bettman and the league have reaffirmed comfort with the current drug-testing and education framework, noting that disciplinary actions are minimal and referral-based.
Overall, Marijuana’s presence in the NHL and beyond reflects a generational and cultural shift. As a player, Cote used cannabis discreetly to manage pain, sleep, and anxiety; then post-career, he leverages his platform to destigmatize cannabis and broaden access to holistic recovery tools.
In recent years, marijuana has gone from taboo to tool and from stigma to science thanks to voices like Cote’s and the evolving legal landscapes, allowing current NHL players to reap the benefits. While league policies remain adaptive, prioritizing player health over harsh consequence, high-level research into therapeutic uses, particularly for concussion recovery, is in progress, and voices from former players like Cote is helping to advocate for thoughtful integration.
AJ Favorito is a freelance writer and media producer with over 8 years of experience in sports media.
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