A new study backed by the National Football League (NFL) sheds light on the increasing acceptance of therapeutic marijuana in sports while also highlighting the significant challenges posed by federal restrictions. These limitations continue to hinder research efforts, leaving a gap in understanding both the risks and benefits associated with cannabinoid use among athletes. The closing of this knowledge gap is an urgent matter, according to the report.
The study notes that, largely due to prohibition, healthcare providers lack sufficient understanding of a substance that is becoming more widely available for both recreational and therapeutic use.
The NFL committed $1 million in 2022 to studies examining the potential of cannabis to reduce pain and prevent concussions. This funding supported clinical research investigating the dosage of CBD and its potential as a substitute for opioids, in addition to the current investigation.
The study’s authors highlight the importance of education as a proven tool for reducing harm. “While there are ongoing efforts to educate the public on the risks of cannabinoids, equivalent efforts must be made to investigate and understand their benefits,” the 27-page paper argues.
The paper, which acknowledges both potential advantages and hazards for athletes using marijuana therapeutically, mostly evaluates existing literature. The authors warn against the dissemination of false information and unfavorable preconceptions that continue to impede the public’s understanding of cannabis and recommend a fair and impartial approach to sharing these findings.
The study highlights that concentrating only on negative messages runs counter to the positive experiences that many people who use cannabis products have had, which undermines public confidence in health authorities. Further, the study also discusses how the public’s comprehension of cannabinoid medicines is impeded by the cannabis industry’s emphasis on recreational usage. The industry’s commercial orientation, which permeates legal and political discourse, further blurs the discussion about the possible health advantages of cannabis products.
To truly serve the public, policymakers need to prioritize evidence-based studies, according to the study’s authors. However, this requires overcoming complex regulatory barriers that currently make it nearly impossible to conduct research on real-world cannabis products outside of studies funded by commercial interests.
One of the primary hurdles identified by the report is the limited availability of rigorous studies. The researchers note that many existing studies on humans have significant limitations in design and applicability. Variations in the types of cannabinoids studied, participant demographics and administration methods make it difficult to draw broad conclusions. As such, the authors advise caution when interpreting these findings, because they may not apply to other populations or different cannabinoid formulations.
The report also characterizes the existing cannabis laws and guidelines in sports as ambiguous and contradictory. The researchers urge politicians, medical experts and athletes to be better informed about the possible advantages and disadvantages of cannabis. The research makes the case that by addressing these problems, the sports community can promote a more knowledgeable and fair conversation on cannabis usage in sports.
As the misconceptions and stigma associated with marijuana use by athletes dissipates, many more are likely to use the products made by entities such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL) to help in the management of the different physiological and mental-health challenges they face as a result of the rigors of the sports they participate in.
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