Cannabis Use and Collective Bargaining: What the NHLPA Has Pushed For

Cannabis reform throughout professional sports continues to evolve, and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) remains one of the most pragmatic voices in shaping that change. Unlike other major leagues that still enforce penalties for marijuana use, the NHL’s labor framework—shaped directly through collective bargaining—treats cannabis primarily as a health matter rather than a disciplinary issue. What the NHLPA has advocated for inside this process offers a clear look at how policy negotiations can influence player wellness, league culture, and the future of substance regulation in professional sports.

For more than a decade, the NHLPA has pushed to shift the league’s approach away from punishment and toward treatment, education, and evidence-based evaluation. Under the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA), players are subject to testing for marijuana, but the threshold for a “positive” result is set high, and there are no automatic suspensions. Instead, test results are reviewed through a health-care lens within the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health (SABH) program. This model reflects the NHLPA’s core bargaining position: cannabis use should not be grounds for discipline unless there is a demonstrated impact on player safety or performance.

The union’s advocacy intensified alongside expanding legalization across Canada and the United States. With players living, training, and competing in jurisdictions where adult-use cannabis is legal, the NHLPA argued that outdated prohibitions no longer aligned with public policy or medical research. That stance became especially relevant after Canada legalized recreational cannabis in 2018, placing roughly half the league’s teams in markets where legal access is normalized. The union made the case that policy should reflect real-world conditions and that education—not punishment—best supports responsible use.

Another area of emphasis involves medical research and the potential therapeutic value of cannabinoids. Many players face chronic pain, concussions, sleep disorders, and persistent inflammation—conditions that often prompt reliance on prescription medications. The NHLPA, while not endorsing cannabis as a treatment, has consistently advocated for the league to remain open to scientific developments and to avoid barriers that prevent players from exploring legally available health options under medical supervision. Discussions around expanded research access and clearer medical-use pathways have surfaced in several bargaining cycles.

The union has also pushed for privacy-focused policies across all substance-testing procedures. This includes keeping player results confidential unless a clinical intervention is recommended and ensuring that participation in the SABH program serves a rehabilitative purpose rather than a disciplinary one. By emphasizing confidentiality, the NHLPA aims to create an environment where players feel safe reporting health concerns and seeking help without fear of stigma.

Looking forward, the NHLPA’s bargaining leverage will continue shaping league-wide cannabis policy. Issues likely to emerge in future negotiations include standardized guidelines for cannabis use during injury recovery, clearer communication about permissible use in legal markets, and potential revisions to testing thresholds that align with advances in impairment detection. The union may also revisit the role of cannabis sponsors—an area where the NHL remains cautious but where legalization trends and growing consumer demand are pushing the boundaries of what leagues consider acceptable.

In the broader sports landscape, the NHLPA’s approach stands out for its balance of player health, evolving law, and pragmatic policymaking. While not an endorsement of cannabis use, the union’s work reflects an understanding that modern substance policy must be flexible, evidence-driven, and grounded in the realities of athletes’ lives. As collective bargaining continues to shape the future of cannabis regulation in pro hockey, the NHLPA’s advocacy offers a roadmap for how other leagues may eventually adapt.