CBD boasts many potential benefits that could make it particularly useful to football players. Though research is limited, CBD shows promise in treating various issues associated with professional football, like muscle soreness, inflammation, and joint pain.
Additionally, it may help manage stress levels, which are likely to rise before a big game. Many athletes are choosing to add CBD oil to their wellness regime for these reasons and more. Perhaps one of the biggest draws to CBD is that it’s all-natural and non-intoxicating, so it won’t make users high.
However, football players need to exercise caution when using CBD oil. The NFL has a notoriously strict stance on cannabis and its derivatives, including CBD. CBD guidelines are unclear for football players, and there is a concern that products could contain excess amounts of THC, the intoxicating compound found in cannabis.
If you are looking for CBD oil for sale, be sure to shop from reputable and trustworthy brands.
CBD Oil in the NFL: Err on the Side of Caution
Cannabis laws in the U.S. are constantly evolving, and keeping up with regulations is not easy. While a growing number of states have legalized cannabis for medicinal and recreational use, it remains illegal at a federal level.
Moreover, the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp, with many now assuming that hemp-derived CBD is legal, further confusing matters. However, the Farm Bill does not explicitly mention CBD, leaving each state to make its own CBD laws.
The legality issues of cannabis and CBD makes it tricky for national sporting bodies to draft policies that suit all professional athletes, especially since many play in states where cannabis is legal. As such, each sporting body implements its own CBD regulations with varying degrees of leniency.
Unfortunately, the NFL is not at the forefront of the cannabis movement, with athletes advised to remain cautious of CBD oil due to the risk of testing positive for THC.
The NFL prohibits the use of THC and synthetic cannabinoids. If a player consumes CBD hemp oil with a THC level that exceeds 0.3%, they could face disciplinary action. Generally, hemp-derived CBD products should contain only trace amounts of THC. However, there is a small risk of it exceeding legal limits and showing up on a drug test.
Therefore, it’s best for football players to err on the side of caution. Always be sure to buy CBD hemp oil from companies that publish third-party lab reports, and check the THC content.
Why the NFL Is Skeptical About CBD
The NFL takes a hard stance on all drug use and wants to see more studies of how CBD could help athletes.
NFL officials have stated that although CBD is a promising compound, there isn’t enough scientific evidence that the cannabinoid is effective or safe. They further clarify that they want to know exactly how CBD oil affects players’ performance before approving its use.
Adding to this concern, officials note that although small clinical studies show CBD may help with neuropathic pain, the unregulated nature of the CBD market makes it difficult to know the purity and potency of many CBD products. There is also the risk of potential drug interactions if football players use certain other medications in conjunction with CBD.
On a positive note, many players, former players, and other parties are advocating for a more positive approach to cannabis-derived products. Former NFL player, Eugene Moore, became the first active player to promote the use of cannabis and its derivatives in 2016. Additionally, several players and former players have partnered with CBD companies to promote CBD hemp oil.
Final Thoughts: Why Football Players Should Be Cautious About CBD Oil
Ultimately, the primary reason football players should be cautious about CBD oil is due to the NFL’s strict stance on cannabis and its derivatives. The biggest concern is testing positive for THC, a prohibited substance, when subjected to a drug test.
The NFL has one of the strictest stances on CBD usage. While rules and regulation seem to be loosening up slowly, athletes still need to exercise caution because they could face disciplinary action or a fine if caught using cannabis products.