List of Cyclists Who Smoke Weed

• Cycling has fewer cannabis advocates than other sports – Because cycling is tightly aligned with WADA/UCI anti-doping enforcement, riders face higher in-competition risk from THC positives than athletes in some U.S. pro leagues with different testing frameworks
• Most cyclists focus on CBD rather than THC – Business ventures like Floyd’s of Leadville emphasize non-psychoactive cannabinoids for recovery and pain management
• Active professionals rarely go public – The list is dominated by retired riders and mountain bikers, as road cyclists face more stringent testing protocols
• Entrepreneurship drives visibility – Building cannabis businesses gives cyclists a platform to advocate while creating legitimate revenue streams
• Women’s representation is limited – Teal Stetson-Lee stands as one of the few female cyclists openly discussing cannabis use
• Scientific research is emerging – PhD researchers like Joanna Zeiger are bringing evidence-based approaches to cannabis in endurance sports

While sports like basketball and football have embraced cannabis advocacy, professional cycling has remained surprisingly quiet. This silence stems directly from cycling’s traumatic history with performance-enhancing drugs and the sport’s strict adherence to anti-doping regulations. Unlike skateboarding or MMA, where cannabis is woven into the cultural fabric, cycling treats any substance with suspicion.

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The most prominent figure in cannabis and cycling, Floyd Landis was the initial 2006 Tour de France winner (later disqualified for doping) and transformed his career into one of the most successful cannabis businesses in sports. His journey from disgraced rider to legitimate cannabis entrepreneur represents cycling’s potential redemption arc.

• Career achievements: 2006 Tour de France stage winner; stripped of overall title, U.S. Postal Service teammate of Lance Armstrong
• Cannabis journey: He has said he relied on opioids after a hip replacement and later sought alternatives, including cannabis
• Business empire: Founded Floyd’s of Leadville in 2016, now distributed widely in retail with operations across multiple states
• Product range: CBD gummies, tinctures, balms, and coffee specifically targeted at endurance athletes
• Agricultural innovation: Partnered with Amish farmers in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to grow hemp

Landis’s transformation is perhaps best captured in his own words: “I discovered cannabis as a way to tailor my pain management and take control of my life. Soon I was no longer dependent on habit forming pills.” His company has become a major player in the CBD market, making him the definitive face of cannabis in professional cycling.

For those interested in similar recovery-focused products, Herb’s Strain Guides can help users understand different cannabis varieties, though Herb is not medical professionals and content is educational only.

One of America’s first professional cyclists sponsored by a cannabis company, Teal Stetson-Lee competes in both enduro mountain biking and cyclocross while openly advocating for both medicinal and recreational cannabis use. Her active status makes her particularly rare in the cycling world.

• Professional status: Active competitor in enduro mountain biking and cyclocross disciplines
• Sponsorship milestone: One of the first American pro cyclists sponsored by Kynd Cannabis, a Nevada-based cultivation company
• Policy navigation: Abstains during UCI cyclocross season (drug tested) but uses during enduro season (not tested)
• Cultural criticism: Challenges the alcohol vs. cannabis double standard prevalent in cycling culture
• Advocacy quote: “Cycling and marijuana go well together and it should be legal”

Stetson-Lee’s perspective highlights the inconsistent treatment of substances in cycling: “Alcohol is a recreational substance that’s culturally accepted… marijuana is recreational too and that’s cool, too.” Her active competition status while advocating for cannabis makes her a crucial voice for cultural change in the sport.

Co-founder of the L39ION of Los Angeles cycling team and accomplished competitor across multiple disciplines, Justin Williams represents the new generation of cyclists who normalize CBD wellness without stigma while working to increase diversity in the predominantly white sport.

• Leadership role: Co-founder of L39ION cycling team focused on mentoring African American and Hispanic riders
• Competition success: Has won multiple national titles across disciplines throughout his career
• Wellness focus: Has publicly discussed recovery and wellness approaches
• Cultural impact: Building inclusive cycling infrastructure while promoting cannabis wellness

Williams’s advocacy carries extra significance as a Black athlete in a sport struggling with diversity. His work with L39ION reflects his belief that cannabis acceptance is part of cycling’s necessary evolution toward inclusivity and modern athlete wellness practices.

A Grand Tour stage winner who was the first American to win stages in all three Grand Tours (Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España), Dave Zabriskie is Landis’s business partner at Floyd’s of Leadville. His journey is particularly compelling because he overcame family trauma related to cannabis to become an industry leader.

• Cycling credentials: First American to win stages in all three Grand Tours
• Personal history: Father was a marijuana dealer, creating initial hesitation about entering the cannabis business
• Transformation: Overcame family trauma to partner with Landis in Floyd’s of Leadville
• Current use: Uses CBD for pain from lingering cycling injuries
• Business role: Business partner with Landis in product development and company operations

Zabriskie’s credibility as a World Tour-level competitor lends legitimacy to cannabis claims in a sport where athletic performance is paramount. His personal transformation from someone with negative cannabis associations to a business leader demonstrates how perspectives can evolve with proper education and application.

Though technically a triathlete rather than pure cyclist, Joanna Zeiger’s connection to cycling is profound—her career-ending bike crash in 2009 led to chronic pain that introduced her to cannabis. As a PhD from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and 2000 Olympic triathlete, she brings scientific rigor to cannabis research in endurance sports.

• Academic credentials: PhD (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health)
• Athletic achievements: 2000 Olympic triathlete, competed at the 2008 Ironman 70.3 World Championship
• Research initiative: Leads Canna Research Group; developed the Athlete PEACE Survey in 2019
• Key findings: Her Athlete PEACE Survey of more than 1,200 athletes found that 26% used cannabis in a two-week period, with 68% of those using it for pain reporting relief
• Scientific approach: “Cannabis is not a panacea, but our goal is to help patients find the right ratios, dosages, and administration routes to get the most benefit with the least harm”

Zeiger’s research, published in journals like PLOS One, provides the evidence-based foundation that cycling needs to move beyond anecdotal claims about cannabis benefits. Her scientific credibility makes her essential for legitimizing cannabis discussions in endurance sports.

The relationship between cycling and cannabis is fundamentally different from other sports due to cycling’s traumatic history with performance-enhancing drugs. The sport’s governing bodies maintain strict adherence to WADA regulations, which prohibit THC in competition and create significant barriers to open advocacy. Public, on-record cannabis discussion is rarer in pro cycling than in some other sports.

Most cyclists who do go public focus exclusively on CBD rather than THC. WADA removed CBD from prohibited cannabinoids effective January 1, 2018, meaning this strategic shift allows athletes to advocate for cannabis benefits while avoiding drug testing complications. For those interested in the legal landscape, Herb’s Editorial & How-Tos section covers cannabis legalization developments that impact athletes.

The evolution of cannabis in cycling has moved from secretive personal use toward legitimate business ventures and scientific research. Floyd Landis’s transformation from disgraced Tour de France stage winner to major cannabis entrepreneur represents the most dramatic example, but others like Dave Zabriskie have found similar redemption arcs. Meanwhile, researchers like Joanna Zeiger are building the scientific foundation needed for broader acceptance.

This entrepreneurial approach reframes cannabis from purely recreational use into legitimate business ventures that support both cycling and cannabis communities. For cyclists seeking similar products, the Dispensary Directory can help locate nearby stores with deals and product information.

As cannabis legalization expands globally, cycling’s relationship with the plant will inevitably evolve. The emergence of active riders like Teal Stetson-Lee and Justin Williams suggests that younger generations are more willing to challenge the sport’s conservative culture. However, until WADA and UCI significantly reform their cannabis policies, open advocacy will remain limited primarily to retired athletes and those in less-regulated disciplines like mountain biking.

For those wanting to stay updated on these developments, subscribing to the Herb Newsletter provides regular updates on cannabis news, policy changes, and athlete advocacy that could impact the cycling world.