List of Soccer Players Who Smoke Weed

• Punishments have evolved dramatically – From mandatory rehabilitation in the 1990s to today’s more nuanced approach reflecting scientific understanding
• WADA’s threshold increased tenfold – The testing limit rose from 15 ng/mL to 150 ng/mL in 2013, acknowledging that residual detection shouldn’t penalize athletes
• Modern athletes advocate openly – Stars like Megan Rapinoe partner with cannabis companies, shifting the narrative from scandal to wellness and recovery
• Policies vary globally – Different leagues maintain different approaches, creating complexity for international players
• CBD is not prohibited – WADA removed cannabidiol from the Prohibited List in 2018, but all other cannabinoids (including THC) remain prohibited in-competition
• Criminal cases differ from personal use – Recent cases like Jay Emmanuel-Thomas smuggling show serious trafficking versus personal consumption

Chris Armstrong was the first Premier League player to fail a drugs test for cannabis in March 1995 while with Crystal Palace. His positive result led to a ban and mandatory rehabilitation, creating a precedent for harsh doping punishments in English football despite cannabis not being performance-enhancing. Armstrong’s public sanction set the stage for increased testing and scrutiny across the league, impacting both policy and the player’s mental health.

• First public football cannabis case – Armstrong was subjected to immense media scrutiny, which compounded the psychological toll of his suspension.
• Precedent-setting punishment – His case influenced how authorities treated subsequent cannabis-related violations.
• Highlighting policy severity – The incident exposed the disproportionate harshness of punishments relative to cannabis’s real effects.

Bernard Lama, a French goalkeeper, received a two-month ban in 1997 after testing positive for marijuana at Paris Saint-Germain. This occurred during a period of strict cannabis testing in French football and was highly significant due to his international status and World Cup involvement. Lama’s ban affected PSG and national matches, spotlighting the aggressive and inconsistent global enforcement of cannabis policies.

• High-profile athlete suspended – The ban impacted both club and international play for Lama.
• Aggressive French enforcement – French football authorities stood out for their punitive stance.
• Ongoing career post-ban – Although Lama continued playing after suspension, the mark on his record remained significant.

In 2001, Ghanaian striker Ibrahim Tanko was handed a four-month ban after testing positive for cannabis while at Borussia Dortmund. His punishment reflected the strict anti-doping regime of the Bundesliga and exemplified the tough penalties of the era. The consequences stretched beyond his suspension, including lost opportunities for his club and the Ghanaian national team.

• Significant suspension length – The four-month ban interrupted Tanko’s career trajectory.
• Broader impacts for African players – Suspension affected work permits and market value for non-European players.
• A cautionary tale – Tanko’s experience served as a warning for other African athletes in European leagues.

Mbulelo Mabizela, a South African defender, was suspended for six months in December 2006 after a positive marijuana test. This severe penalty occurred during a pivotal stage in his career, causing exclusion from both club and national team activities. The ban hindered his momentum, damaged his reputation, and had long-term effects on his professional journey.

• Prime years disrupted – The ban came at a critical time for his professional development.
• Reputational damage – His standing in English football suffered due to the sanction.
• Enduring career effects – The impact was felt beyond the suspension, leading to struggles in regaining previous form.

Colombian forward Wilder Medina repeatedly tested positive for marijuana in 2011, demonstrating either significant use or flaws in testing methodology. The frequency of positive tests within a short span triggered escalating penalties and highlighted the rigid nature of anti-doping enforcement. Medina’s recurring violations placed his entire career at risk.

• Pattern of repeated offenses – Multiple positive tests created a cycle of sanction and scrutiny.
• Ambiguity in detection – Testing could not always distinguish between new and historical use.
• Escalating penalties – Each positive result led to harsher consequences, endangering Medina’s professional prospects.

Megan Rapinoe, renowned U.S. women’s soccer star, partnered with CBD brand Mendi in 2019 to promote cannabis-derived recovery solutions. She cited health, recovery, sleep aid, and flying relaxation as motives, marking a shift in the athletic conversation from prohibitive policies to therapeutic applications. Her advocacy coincided with anti-doping policy changes and drew public attention due to her high profile after the World Cup.

• Pioneering athlete partnership – First major soccer star to endorse a CBD company.
• Cannabis for recovery – Promoted the use of CBD as a legitimate alternative for pain and sleep management.
• Cultural shift signal – Helped normalize CBD in sports through open advocacy.

Dutch goalkeeper Gino Coutinho was jailed in 2011 for operating a cannabis farm with over 4,200 plants, a step far beyond typical athlete misconduct. His involvement indicated organized commercial intent, not just personal use, leading to severe legal ramifications. Coutinho’s incarceration became a landmark case distinguishing production from simple consumption, even in liberal jurisdictions.

• Criminal enterprise – Transitioned from sports sanction to a major criminal conviction.
• Dutch policy contrast – Highlights the difference between personal decriminalization and punishment for large-scale production.
• Warning to athletes – Coutinho’s case served as a cautionary example within Dutch football.

In May 2025, former Premier League player Jay Emmanuel-Thomas admitted to smuggling 60 kg of cannabis, valued at £600,000, from Thailand. This profound escalation moved the athlete-cannabis story from individual consumption to organized international drug trafficking. His case drew widespread UK media attention due to the substantial quantity and the threat of a 14-year sentence.

• Scale of the offense – Smuggling on a commercial level, not just personal possession.
• Legal implications dominate – The criminal sentence far outweighed prior sporting sanctions.
• Broad impact – Sparked conversation about athlete involvement in organized drug crime.

Lee Bowyer received an eight-week FA suspension after testing positive for cannabis with Charlton Athletic in 1995, just before moving to Leeds United. Despite early-career sanctions, Bowyer managed a successful Premier League run, exemplifying how some athletes move past cannabis-related stigma. His case was part of a concentrated wave of positive tests in English football during the era.

• Early-career adversity – Overcame potential derailment from drug-related ban.
• Reflects era’s punitive approach – Eight-week bans were typical of the FA’s strategy then.
• Contributed to policy debates – Bowyer’s journey influenced later conversations on the value of such punishments.

Kolo Touré, although not directly involved with cannabis, received a six-month ban in 2011 for ingesting a banned substance from his wife’s weight-loss pills. Touré’s case highlighted complexities of supplement contamination and strict anti-doping policies. He accepted responsibility, using the incident to raise awareness about supplement safety and the strict liability athletes face.

• Supplement contamination issue – Accidentally ingested a prohibited substance.
• Loss of crucial playing time – Missed significant matches during Manchester City’s title pursuit.
• Responsibility and education – Used the occasion to educate others on anti-doping pitfalls.

• The English Football Association’s approach in the 1990s and early 2000s was notably punitive, with mandatory rehabilitation programs and significant suspensions. 
• This approach reflected broader societal attitudes rather than scientific evidence about cannabis’s actual effects on performance or health.
• The FA’s strict stance during this period resulted in numerous bans but questionable effectiveness in deterring use.
• Public disclosure policies varied, with some players named and others sanctioned anonymously, creating inconsistency in transparency.

• Major League Soccer has gradually moved toward more progressive policies, influenced by changing state laws and athlete advocacy.
• The league now distinguishes between recreational use, medical applications, and in-competition violations, reflecting the broader North American shift toward cannabis normalization.
• MLS players have been among the most vocal advocates for policy reform in professional sports.

• Cannabis policies vary dramatically across global football leagues, from the relatively strict approaches in some European countries to more lenient frameworks in regions with progressive cannabis legislation.
• These inconsistencies create challenges for international players who must navigate different regulations depending on their location and competition schedule.
• The lack of global standardization reflects broader geopolitical differences in cannabis policy.

WADA reviews the Prohibited List annually; in 2023 it maintained the in-competition prohibition of THC for 2024 while continuing to monitor research. The trajectory suggests movement toward evidence-based policies that recognize cannabis’s non-performance-enhancing nature and potential therapeutic benefits. Future reviews may lead to further liberalization, potentially removing cannabis from the prohibited list entirely or implementing Therapeutic Use Exemptions for legitimate medical cases.

High-profile partnerships like Megan Rapinoe’s with CBD companies demonstrate the commercial viability and cultural acceptance of athlete-cannabis relationships. These advocacy efforts help normalize cannabis use for recovery and wellness, gradually dismantling the stigma that has historically surrounded the issue in professional sports.

As scientific understanding improves, educational initiatives about safe cannabis use, proper dosing, and product selection are becoming more common in professional sports environments. These programs aim to equip athletes with accurate information rather than relying solely on prohibition, recognizing that education is more effective than punishment for harm reduction.

For those interested in exploring cannabis products similar to what athletes use for recovery, Herb’s products catalog offers verified options for legal cannabis consumption. Detailed information on different varieties and their potential effects can be found in Herb’s comprehensive strain guides. Stay updated on the latest developments in cannabis and sports by subscribing to the Herb Insider newsletter, and find local dispensaries in major soccer markets through Herb’s dispensary directory.