List of Olympians Who Smoke Weed

• Cannabis policy evolved dramatically since 1998 – Ross Rebagliati’s gold medal controversy prompted the IOC to add marijuana to its prohibited list in late April 1998, setting the stage for decades of athlete suspensions and policy debates
• Redemption stories dominate recent Olympics – Sha’Carri Richardson and Tara Davis-Woodhall overcame cannabis-related suspensions to win gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics
• CBD vs THC distinction is crucial – Athletes like Amy Van Dyken, Megan Rapinoe, and Sue Bird use legal CBD products for recovery without facing sanctions, while THC use remains prohibited in-competition
• International incidents highlight legal disparities – Brittney Griner’s 293-day detention in Russia demonstrates the extreme consequences athletes face in anti-cannabis countries
• Active advocacy is growing among champions – Kevin Durant’s statement that “everybody does it” reflects changing attitudes among current Olympic gold medalists
• Medical necessity drives many athletes to cannabis – From paralysis recovery to pain management, legitimate medical needs motivate Olympic champions to explore cannabis options through platforms like Herb’s Products Catalog

As the first-ever Olympic gold medalist in snowboarding (1998 Winter Games), Ross Rebagliati’s cannabis controversy fundamentally altered international sports policy and sparked a nearly three-decade debate about marijuana in athletics.

• Historic achievement: Won gold in Men’s Giant Slalom at 1998 Winter Olympics
• Cannabis incident: Tested above the threshold reported at the time (17.8 vs 15 nanograms)
• Policy impact: After his case, the IOC moved to add marijuana to its prohibited list in late April 1998
• Medal controversy: Initially stripped of gold medal, then reinstated after appeal when IOC admitted cannabis wasn’t on the banned substances list during his event
• Current advocacy: Now operates a medical cannabis business in Canada and continues to advocate for policy reform

For athletes seeking to understand cannabis policy evolution, Herb’s Editorial & How-Tos provide comprehensive coverage of legalization developments and regulatory changes.

With 28 Olympic medals (23 gold), Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian in history, yet his career survived one of sports’ most famous cannabis controversies when a bong photo went viral globally.

• Unmatched record: 28 Olympic medals (23 gold) – most decorated Olympian ever
• Cannabis incident: Photographed using bong at USC fraternity party in November 2008
• Consequences: Lost major sponsorships and faced competitive sanctions
• Career resilience: Returned to win additional Olympic medals, proving cannabis incidents don’t necessarily end elite careers
• Current role: Provided commentary at 2024 Paris Olympics pool events while maintaining his legacy

Sha’Carri Richardson’s journey from cannabis-related Olympic ban to 2024 Paris redemption represents the most impactful modern cannabis case, reigniting global debate about marijuana policies in sports and prompting Congressional intervention.

• Suspension context: Tested positive for THC in June 2021 after running 10.86 seconds at Olympic trials, used cannabis to cope with biological mother’s death
• Missed opportunity: Did not compete at Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to the anti-doping sanction despite qualifying
• Policy impact: Her case prompted 18 members of Congress to call WADA policy “outdated and restrictive”
• Redemption arc: Won silver in 100m and gold in 4x100m relay at 2024 Paris Olympics
• Cultural significance: President Biden commented on her case, highlighting its national importance

For track athletes seeking similar therapeutic benefits without competitive violations, exploring cannabis strains for out-of-competition recovery can provide alternatives.

Six-time Olympic gold medalist Amy Van Dyken represents the legitimate medical cannabis pathway, using CBD for neuropathic pain management after a 2014 ATV accident left her paralyzed from the waist down.

• Olympic legacy: First American woman to win 4 gold medals in a single Olympics (1996)
• Medical need: Paralyzed from waist down after 2014 ATV accident requiring chronic pain management
• CBD advocacy: Ambassador for CBD brands and vocal advocate for medical cannabis access
• Quality of life improvement: Credits CBD for significantly improved daily function without intoxication or competitive violations
• Educational impact: Demonstrates how CBD can provide relief for serious injuries while remaining WADA-compliant

Tara Davis-Woodhall’s journey from 2023 cannabis suspension to 2024 Olympic gold demonstrates how modern athletes can navigate cannabis policies and achieve redemption on the world’s biggest stage.

• Suspension details: Tested positive for THC at February 2023 USATF Indoor Championships
• Penalty reduction: Completed substance abuse treatment program, reducing suspension from 3 months to 1 month
• National consequence: Stripped of national title despite completing treatment
• Olympic triumph: Won gold medal in long jump at 2024 Paris Olympics with a 7.10m (23-3½) jump
• Redemption quote: “That motivation turned to manifestation, and manifestation turned into a reality. I’m an Olympic gold medalist.”

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner’s 293-day detention in Russia for cannabis oil possession highlights the extreme legal disparities athletes face globally and the geopolitical consequences of cannabis policies.

• Olympic success: Won gold with USA Women’s Basketball at 2024 Paris Olympics (61-game win streak)
• International incident: Arrested at Moscow airport in February 2022 with cannabis oil cartridges
• Detention length: Held for 293 days total before prisoner exchange release
• Legal disparity: Cannabis oil legal in Arizona (her home state) but illegal in Russia
• Complete comeback: Returned to Olympic competition and maintained championship form

Four-time Olympic gold medalist Kevin Durant represents the new era of active champions openly discussing cannabis culture while competing at the highest level, normalizing marijuana use among elite athletes.

• Olympic record: 4x Olympic gold medalist (2012, 2016, 2020, 2024)
• Cultural statement: “Everybody does it, to be honest. It’s like wine at this point”
• Philosophy: “It’s a plant that was put here for a reason. It’s to bring us all together”
• Business involvement: Has partnered with cannabis industry platforms to normalize cannabis culture
• Active competition: Scored 15 points in 2024 gold medal game vs France while maintaining advocacy stance

Judo athlete Nicholas Delpopolo’s case represents how even accidental cannabis exposure can derail Olympic dreams, highlighting the strict liability nature of anti-doping policies regardless of intent.

• Olympic participation: Competed in 2012 London Olympics (Judo)
• Anti-doping violation: Received sanction for cannabis metabolite during competition
• Consequence: Removed from 2012 Olympics competition
• Comeback success: Successfully returned to compete in 2016 Rio Olympics
• Policy lesson: Demonstrates that anti-doping policies apply strict liability regardless of consumption circumstances

Olympic gold medalist Megan Rapinoe represents the legal CBD advocacy pathway, partnering with her sister’s Mendi brand to promote recovery products without facing competitive sanctions.

• Olympic achievement: Gold medalist at 2012 London Olympics
• Business venture: Ambassador for sister’s CBD brand “Mendi”
• Product focus: CBD gels and oils for recovery (no psychoactive products)
• Representation: Advocates for increased female athlete participation in cannabis industry endorsements
• Legal compliance: Uses only WADA-permitted CBD products, avoiding THC entirely

Five-time Olympic gold medalist Sue Bird is one of the most decorated basketball players in Olympic history while advocating for legal CBD products through her partnership with Mendi.

• Olympic legacy: 5x Olympic gold medalist (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020)
• Business partnership: Athlete ambassador for Mendi CBD brand with partner Megan Rapinoe
• Strategic timing: Announced CBD partnership during period of heightened cannabis policy debate in sports
• Product focus: CBD oils and recovery products for post-competition wellness
• Legacy impact: Demonstrates how legendary athletes can advocate for cannabis within WADA guidelines

Olympic gold medalist (2008) and bronze medalist (2004) Dwyane Wade represents the evolution of cannabis acceptance, openly involved in cannabis products while working the 2024 Olympics.

• Olympic legacy: Gold medalist at 2008 Beijing Olympics, bronze medalist at 2004 Athens Olympics
• Business involvement: Associated with cannabis industry through various partnerships
• Current role: Worked as broadcaster for Team USA Men’s Basketball at 2024 Paris Olympics
• Hall of Fame status: NBA Hall of Famer normalizing cannabis products while maintaining Olympic involvement
• Industry integration: Shows how retired champions can build legitimate cannabis businesses

Eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt, the fastest man ever recorded, has said he experimented with marijuana as a teenager, challenging the narrative that cannabis impairs athletic performance.

• Unmatched speed: 8x Olympic gold medalist, holds world records in 100m (9.58s) and 200m (19.19s)
• Cannabis admission: Has said he tried marijuana when he was young in Jamaica
• Performance argument: His success represents a counter to simplistic “cannabis impairs performance” narratives
• Cultural context: Jamaican cannabis culture differs significantly from international anti-doping policies
• Legacy impact: His acknowledgment challenges assumptions about marijuana’s relationship to peak athletic performance

The relationship between cannabis and Olympic competition has evolved dramatically since Ross Rebagliati’s 1998 controversy. Initially, cannabis wasn’t even on the IOC’s banned substances list, but the IOC moved to add marijuana to its prohibited list in late April 1998 after his gold medal incident. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) later established more nuanced policies, raising the urinary threshold for THC metabolite from 15 ng/mL to 150 ng/mL in 2013 and removing CBD from the prohibited list in 2018. Despite these changes, cannabis remains banned in-competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics, though the Sha’Carri Richardson case prompted significant Congressional scrutiny and ongoing policy review discussions. For athletes navigating these complex regulations, Herb’s Newsletters provide updates on policy changes and legalization developments.

Many Olympic athletes have shifted from THC use to CBD-focused recovery as policies and scientific understanding evolved. Amy Van Dyken’s CBD advocacy for paralysis-related pain management and Megan Rapinoe’s Mendi partnership demonstrate the legal pathway available to athletes seeking cannabis benefits without competitive violations. This shift reflects broader trends where non-psychoactive cannabinoids offer recovery benefits without intoxication or drug testing concerns. The 2018 WADA decision to remove CBD from the prohibited list created legitimate opportunities for athletes to explore cannabis for wellness, aligning with Herb’s educational content on cannabis for recovery.

Multiple Olympic champions have successfully built cannabis businesses, leveraging their credibility to create legitimate enterprises that support both athletic and cannabis communities. These athletes have transformed personal experiences into business ventures that reframe cannabis from purely recreational use into wellness-focused products that serve legitimate medical and recovery needs. For aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs, Herb’s Dispensary Directory provides insights into market opportunities and consumer preferences.