List of Famous Football Players Who Smoke Weed

• Short public list, loud advocacy — While few active players openly discuss use, retired NFL figures like Ricky Williams, Jim McMahon, and Eugene Monroe are driving policy change and public conversation.
• Leagues are easing rules — The 2020 NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement raised the THC threshold and ended suspensions for positive tests, reflecting a broader sports trend.
• Use is more common than admissions — A 2019 survey of primarily endurance athletes found 67% lifetime use and 26% use in the prior two weeks.
• Pain and wellness drive adoption — Football players facing chronic pain and brain injury increasingly view cannabis as a potential alternative to opioids for recovery.
• Athlete-founded brands are rising — Former players are launching cannabis and wellness lines focused on recovery and health.

The former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL running back was famously suspended multiple times under the league’s old, strict policy in 2004 and 2006. Since retiring, Williams has become a leading voice for cannabis normalization in sports. He now runs a cannabis and wellness brand, speaking openly about its role in his post-career life and mental wellness. His journey from league pariah to entrepreneur embodies the cultural shift underway. His story is central to understanding the personal cost of outdated policies.

The former Chicago Bears quarterback and Super Bowl XX champion has been publicly vocal about using cannabis for pain and neurological issues stemming from his playing career. McMahon has spoken openly about suffering from post-concussion symptoms and chronic pain, advocating for cannabis as a safer alternative to the prescription painkillers commonly used in professional football. His advocacy has helped shift the conversation around player health and wellness in retirement.

The former offensive lineman has become one of the most outspoken retired players regarding cannabis use for managing the physical and neurological toll of professional football. Turley has publicly discussed his cannabis use for pain management and symptoms related to traumatic brain injury. His candid testimony about replacing opioids with cannabis has resonated with both current and former players seeking healthier pain management options.

The former NFL defensive end turned cannabis advocate has been transparent about using cannabis for pain and wellness in his post-playing life. Washington has not only spoken about his personal use but has also become involved in the cannabis industry as a business advocate, pushing for reform and working to destigmatize cannabis use among athletes. His advocacy extends beyond personal use to broader policy change.

The former Ravens offensive tackle took the extraordinary step of publicly calling on the NFL to allow medical cannabis while still an active player in 2016. Monroe advocated for cannabis as a safer alternative to opioids for managing the chronic pain endemic in professional football and funded research into its benefits. His willingness to speak out at significant personal and professional risk helped pressure the league toward its subsequent policy reforms.

The former Tennessee Titans linebacker became one of the first active NFL players to publicly advocate for medical cannabis in 2016. Morgan spoke openly about the need for cannabis as a pain management option for professional athletes, arguing for its potential as a safer alternative to prescription opioids. His stance represented a new generation of player-led activism on the issue while still competing at the highest level.

• In a 2019 online survey, 67% reported lifetime use and 26% reported use in the prior two weeks; results skew toward endurance sports and may not generalize to pros.
  
• High lifetime use suggests private but pervasive patterns driven by fear of sanctions under older policies.
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• The 2020 NFL CBA raised the THC threshold from 35 to 150 ng/mL, ended suspensions for positives, and limited random testing to two weeks of training camp.
  
• MLB in 2019 removed marijuana from its Drugs of Abuse list and aligned treatment with alcohol-type management.
  
• The NBA paused random testing for marijuana starting in 2020 and removed it from testing in the 2023 CBA.
  
• For broader context pieces and explainers, visit the website, Herb guides hub.

• In 2022, the NCAA raised its THC threshold to 150 ng/mL and adopted a harm-reduction model that can avoid automatic loss of eligibility with a school management plan.

• The National Academies (2017) found substantial evidence that cannabis helps chronic pain in adults; anti-inflammatory findings are emerging and indication-specific.
• If you’re learning options, start with the Herb strain library and curated Herb guides hub.

• Former NFL star Ricky Williams exemplifies the shift, having launched the Highsman cannabis and wellness brand and advocating for athlete-led entrepreneurship.
• To support local retailers and recovery-focused products, browse dispensaries near you and explore cannabis culture guides.