Athletes and Medical Staff in Elite Contact Sports: a Quantitative Analysis of Use, Knowledge, and Attitudes Regarding Cannabinoids.

Thompson E.; Alcorn J.; Laprairie R.; Rohatinsky N.; Dehghani P.; Neary J. · Sports health · 2026

**Background & Methods** This was a quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional survey study (Level 4 evidence) conducted from February 2023 to July 2024 among elite and professional contact sport athletes and medical staff across Canada, United States, and Australia. Two anonymous online surveys assessed demographics, cannabinoid use patterns, knowledge of pharmacology and endocannabinoid system, educational needs, attitudes toward legalization, stigma perception, and communication barriers between athletes and medical personnel. **Key Findings** • **High use with substantial knowledge gaps**: 56% of 166 athletes (89.7% male, mean age 35.2 years, 18-23 years predominant) currently used cannabinoids (81% lifetime use), yet only 21.7% understood the endocannabinoid system and 67.4% were unfamiliar with therapeutic dosing. Among 64 medical staff, 59.5% lacked familiarity with cannabinoid mechanisms, only 14% knew dosing protocols, and 71.4% reported low confidence in treatment planning. • **Significant communication and stigma barriers**: 81.3% of athletes perceived public stigma around cannabis use, 66.1% perceived stigma from medical staff, and only 21.4% felt comfortable discussing cannabis with their medical team. While <50% of staff believed athletes trusted them enough to initiate conversations, staff believed athletes would be honest if approached directly. • **Strong mutual demand for education and policy reform**: 72.3% of athletes and 79.5% of medical staff reported strong educational needs; 100% of medical staff desired athlete-specific cannabinoid education. 74.1% of athletes favored qualified scientists as educators. Both groups supported legalization and updating league policies, and both categorized cannabinoids as supplements or medications rather than illicit drugs. **Dosage & Administration** Not reported. **Safety & Adverse Effects** Not reported. **Evidence Quality** This descriptive survey (Level 4 evidence) provides valuable qualitative insights into knowledge gaps and attitudes but cannot establish causation or generalizability. Limitations include self-report bias, anonymous survey format potentially affecting response accuracy, modest sample sizes (166 athletes, 64 staff), and geographic restriction to English-speaking countries. The findings highlight urgent need for evidence-based, stigma-reducing educational interventions and policy updates tailored to elite athletes and medical personnel.

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