Incorporating CBD into your athletic regime is easier than ever now that products like CBD protein powder and topical pain relievers are available. Brands like Myaderm offer CBD topicals designed specifically for muscle and joint recovery, like their Advanced CBD Sports Cream that contains up to 2,400 mg of CBD and no traces of THC. But of course, the issues surrounding CBD and sports are not based on availability, but legality.
In 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) removed CBD from the list of prohibited substances, in addition to the Farm Bill legalizing hemp-derived CBD with less than 0.3% THC in all 50 states. However, the major sports leagues have been hesitant to authorize CBD’s use for pain over opiates, even though they come with a laundry list of side effects and are extremely addictive. Opioids and related nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are still the most common approaches for athletes dealing with pain, whether recovering from a workout or injury.
The use of CBD for sports has received a groundswell of support, but some major American sports leagues still prohibit their athletes from using the non-psychoactive cannabinoid. Here, we look at how the major leagues in North America are responding to the ongoing controversy of CBD and sports.