List of Swimmers Who Use Cannabis

• Cannabis and elite swimming aren’t mutually exclusive – Olympic champions like Michael Phelps and Amy Van Dyken prove cannabis use doesn’t prevent legendary athletic achievement
• The conversation has evolved from scandal to medical advocacy – While early cases like Gary Hall Jr. (1998) faced strict penalties, today’s athletes like Amy Van Dyken openly advocate for cannabis as legitimate medicine
• International cannabis laws create complex consequences – Singapore’s strict drug policies resulted in severe career impacts for Joseph Schooling and Amanda Lim, despite consuming cannabis while overseas
• Regulatory attitudes are softening – Recent cases show shorter suspensions (1-3 months vs. potential 4-year bans), reflecting cannabis’s reclassification as a “Substance of Abuse”
• Medical necessity drives legitimate use – Post-accident pain management led Van Dyken to replace opioids with cannabis, representing a growing trend among retired athletes

Cannabis Connection: Photographed with a bong in November 2008
Career Impact: 3-month suspension, minimal long-term consequences
Legacy: Continued dominance through 2016 Olympics, winning 8 additional gold medals

Michael Phelps stands as the most recognizable name in both swimming and sports cannabis history. The 28-time Olympic medalist (23 gold) faced global scrutiny when a British tabloid published photos of him using a bong in November 2008, just months after his record-breaking 8-gold performance in Beijing.

USA Swimming suspended Phelps for 3 months in February 2009, and he lost his Kellogg’s sponsorship deal. However, the International Olympic Committee notably stated: “Michael Phelps is a great Olympic champion. He apologized for his inappropriate behavior. We have no reason to doubt his sincerity and his commitment to continue to act as a role model.”

Crucially, Phelps never tested positive for banned substances – his incident involved recreational use during the off-season. His career not only survived but thrived, demonstrating that cannabis use doesn’t preclude athletic greatness. Today, Phelps serves as an Olympics commentator, including for the 2024 Paris Games, showing how far both his career and cannabis acceptance have come.

Cannabis Connection: Medical necessity following 2014 ATV accident
Career Impact: Transformed personal tragedy into advocacy platform
Legacy: 6-time Olympic gold medalist redefining cannabis as legitimate medicine

Amy Van Dyken represents the positive evolution of cannabis in sports – from scandal to legitimate medical use. The 6-time Olympic gold medalist (4 in 1996, 2 in 2000) and first American woman to win 4 gold medals in a single Olympics faced life-altering circumstances when an ATV accident in 2014 left her paralyzed from the waist down.

Suffering from severe neuropathic pain and having battled asthma since 18 months old, Van Dyken turned to cannabis after conventional treatments failed. In her words: “I cannot live without it, and I will not live without it.” She replaced opioids with a combination of THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, CBC, and other cannabinoids, using multiple consumption methods including edibles, vapes, and tinctures.

Van Dyken didn’t just privately use cannabis – she became an active educator, co-creating “Terp Tuesday” with Bethany Semeiks to break stigma and share knowledge. Her advocacy demonstrates cannabis as a legitimate medical tool, particularly valuable for athletes managing chronic pain management and inflammation. For those interested in similar therapeutic approaches, Herb’s Editorial & How-Tos section offers comprehensive guides on strain selection.

Cannabis Connection: Confessed to overseas cannabis use in May 2022
Career Impact: Denied leave from national service to train or compete
Legacy: Olympic gold medalist navigating Singapore’s strict drug laws

Joseph Schooling’s story highlights the complexities of international cannabis regulations. The Singaporean swimmer achieved national hero status by winning his country’s first and only Olympic gold medal in the 100m butterfly at Rio 2016 – notably defeating his childhood idol Michael Phelps in the process.

However, tragedy struck when his father died in November 2021, and Schooling later confessed to consuming cannabis while overseas in Vietnam during the SEA Games competition. Despite cannabis being legal in Vietnam, Singapore’s strict drug laws apply to citizens abroad. The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) imposed a 6-month supervised urine testing program and formal warning. Singapore’s Ministry of Defence subsequently denied him leave from national service to train or compete, effectively ending his international swimming career during this period.

Schooling’s case demonstrates the harsh reality of international cannabis law disparities. While many countries have liberalized cannabis policies, Singapore maintains some of the world’s strictest drug laws, including the death penalty for trafficking. His admission came with genuine remorse: “I gave in to a moment of weakness after going through a very tough period of my life.”

For those navigating similar legal complexities or seeking quality products for personal use, Herb’s Strain Guides provide educational resources on different cannabis varieties and their effects.

Cannabis Connection: First major Olympic swimmer to test positive (1998)
Career Impact: 3-month suspension, continued Olympic success through 2004
Legacy: Paved the way for cannabis discussions in swimming

Gary Hall Jr. holds the historical distinction of being the first major Olympic swimmer to test positive for cannabis. The 10-time Olympic medalist (5 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze) tested positive during an out-of-competition drug test on May 15, 1998, receiving a 3-month suspension from USA Swimming.

This incident occurred during the same era as snowboarder Ross Rebagliati’s Olympic medal controversy, highlighting the late 1990s as a pivotal time for cannabis discussions in elite sports. Unlike modern cases that might receive reduced sanctions under the “Substance of Abuse” classification, Hall faced the standard penalty of his time.

Remarkably, Hall’s career not only survived but flourished after his suspension. He continued competing through the 2004 Athens Olympics, winning additional Olympic medals and setting world records in the 50m freestyle. His case established an important precedent: cannabis use, while against regulations, doesn’t necessarily end an elite swimming career.

Cannabis Connection: Admitted overseas cannabis consumption in 2022
Career Impact: Received “stern warning” from Singapore authorities
Legacy: Female voice in predominantly male-covered swimming cannabis stories

Amanda Lim provides crucial gender diversity in swimming’s cannabis narrative. As a Singapore national team swimmer, she was part of the same 2022 investigation that ensnared Joseph Schooling. Both swimmers admitted to consuming cannabis while overseas, but Lim received a lighter sanction – a “stern warning” from the Central Narcotics Bureau rather than Schooling’s supervised testing program.

Her case underscores both the international complexities of cannabis laws and the different treatment sometimes afforded to female athletes in similar circumstances. Like Schooling, Lim faced Singapore’s strict drug policies despite consuming cannabis in another country.

Lim’s inclusion in this list ensures representation beyond the predominantly male scandal stories that dominate sports cannabis coverage. Her experience demonstrates that cannabis use spans all demographics in competitive swimming, from Olympic legends to national team members.

Cannabis Connection: Positive THC test resulting in 1-month suspension
Career Impact: Brief suspension reflecting evolving regulatory attitudes
Legacy: Demonstrates shorter penalties in the modern era

Tate Jackson represents swimming’s current generation and the evolving regulatory landscape around cannabis. As a USA Swimming National Team member, Jackson tested positive for THC and received a 1-month suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

This relatively brief suspension reflects the significant policy shifts since the late 1990s and early 2000s. Under current WADA guidelines, cannabis is classified as a “Substance of Abuse,” allowing for reduced sanctions when use is determined to be unrelated to performance enhancement. Jackson’s 1-month suspension contrasts sharply with the standard 3-month penalties of previous decades.His case illustrates how regulatory bodies increasingly recognize cannabis as distinct from performance-enhancing drugs, focusing penalties on in-competition use rather than treating it as a serious doping violation. For those exploring similar consumption methods for relaxation, Herb’s Products Catalog features various THC and CBD options across categories like Edibles, Vape Pens, and Oils from third-party sellers.

Cannabis Connection: Positive doping test for cannabis
Career Impact: 3-month period of ineligibility
Legacy: Shows cannabis testing extends to NCAA levels

Wyatt Davis provides insight into cannabis use at the collegiate level. The former World Junior champion and Michigan Wolverines swimmer tested positive for cannabis in an in-competition sample, resulting in a 3-month period of ineligibility.

Davis’s case demonstrates that cannabis testing and regulations extend beyond Olympic and professional levels down to NCAA competition. His World Junior champion status shows that even elite youth athletes navigate cannabis policies, and his collegiate affiliation with Michigan highlights how major university programs enforce anti-doping standards.

The standard 3-month sanction Davis received aligns with traditional penalties, suggesting that while international bodies like WADA have softened their approach, collegiate athletic organizations may maintain stricter enforcement. This case reminds readers that cannabis policies vary significantly across different competitive levels and governing bodies.

The intersection of competitive swimming and cannabis use reveals a complex narrative spanning over two decades. Unlike other sports with more documented cannabis connections, swimming maintains a relatively discreet relationship with the plant – yet several high-profile cases have shaped both athletic careers and public perception.

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations play a crucial role in this dynamic. THC remains prohibited in-competition only, with a threshold of 150 ng/mL in urine (raised from 15 ng/mL in 2013), while CBD has been permitted since 2018. This regulatory framework creates a nuanced landscape where timing and consumption methods significantly impact an athlete’s eligibility.

For those exploring cannabis beyond athletic contexts, Herb’s comprehensive Dispensary Directory helps you locate legal retailers by state and city, ensuring responsible access to quality products.

The stories of these seven swimmers illustrate the dramatic evolution of cannabis policies in competitive swimming. From Gary Hall Jr.’s 1998 positive test to Tate Jackson’s recent 1-month suspension, regulatory attitudes have shifted significantly.

Current WADA guidelines prohibit THC only in-competition, with a threshold of 150 ng/mL – ten times higher than the previous standard. CBD has been permitted since 2018, and the “Substance of Abuse” classification allows for reduced sanctions when use is determined to be unrelated to performance enhancement.

For athletes and enthusiasts alike, understanding these regulations is crucial. Herb’s News section provides ongoing updates on cannabis legalization efforts and regulatory changes that affect both competitive sports and personal use.

Whether you’re exploring cannabis for relaxation, recovery, or personal enjoyment, accessing quality products is essential. Herb’s platform offers several resources for the cannabis-curious:

• Dispensary Directory: Browse dispensaries by state and city to find legal retailers near you
• Products Catalog: Discover cannabis products across categories including Flower, Edibles, Vape Pens, and Topicals
• Strain Guides: Understand different cannabis varieties and select the best strain for your needs
• Editorial & How-Tos: Access practical guides on consumption methods, dosage, and responsible use

These resources, backed by Herb’s community of 14 million passionate members, provide trusted information for those seeking to explore cannabis responsibly.