Why Did the NCAA Stop Testing?

The NCAA’s decision to end cannabis testing wasn’t a free pass for athletes to light up. It was, in part, a recognition that cannabis use isn’t inherently tied to performance enhancement, unlike steroids or other banned substances. It also aligned with shifting public opinion, with many states legalizing cannabis for recreational or medicinal use. The NCAA has instead focused its drug-testing resources on substances that have a direct impact on competition integrity, which makes sense in the context of a fair playing field.

Why Schools Still Test

Despite the NCAA’s relaxed stance, individual schools have largely maintained their own cannabis-testing policies. For many administrators, the concern is about culture. Cannabis use—whether real or perceived—can send a message to recruits, parents, alumni, and the larger community. Schools don’t want to be seen as permissive or risk losing their reputation as institutions that prioritize discipline and excellence. Some worry that removing testing could lead to normalization of cannabis use, which might seep into team dynamics and affect the broader athletic culture.

The Perspective as a Former Coach

From a coaching standpoint, the conversation is less about legality and more about accountability. Athletes often look to their teammates and leaders for cues on what’s acceptable. If cannabis becomes prevalent in an athletic program, it could create distractions, affect decision-making, or even cause conflicts among team members. And let’s not ignore safety concerns—cannabis use can impair reaction times, which could increase the risk of injury, especially in contact sports. 

The Push for Mental Health Exceptions

On the flip side, it’s hard to ignore the argument for cannabis as a tool for pain management and mental health support. Student-athletes face enormous pressure, juggling academics, competition, and social responsibilities. Cannabis—particularly in its non-psychoactive forms, like CBD—has been shown to alleviate anxiety and aid in recovery. For some athletes, it might be a safer alternative to opioids or other prescription medications, which carry their own risks. This raises a question: are schools truly addressing athletes’ well-being, or just enforcing policies out of tradition and optics?

Balancing Personal Responsibility and Program Standards

What makes this issue tricky is the balance between individual responsibility and program accountability. Many athletes view cannabis use as a personal decision, one that doesn’t necessarily impact their ability to train or perform. However, athletic programs operate as ecosystems where individual choices can ripple outward. Administrators and coaches have to weigh the risk of undermining their program’s standards against the need to respect athletes’ autonomy—particularly in states where cannabis is fully legal.

Are We Sending Mixed Messages?

There’s also the issue of consistency. Schools often partner with breweries for sponsorships or allow alcohol sales at games, yet some of those same programs have zero-tolerance cannabis policies. To athletes, this can feel hypocritical: why is one substance acceptable while another—arguably less harmful—isn’t? This inconsistency complicates the message we’re sending about health, responsibility, and the realities of substance use in college sports. It’s also a contributing factor to why we are now called to be more educational and treatment focused rather than punitive when it comes to cannabis testing and receiving positive results.

The Need for Ongoing Conversation

As the landscape around cannabis continues to shift, so should our policies—and our conversations. Schools need to ask hard questions: are we testing for cannabis to protect our athletes, or to uphold a certain image? Could we adopt more nuanced policies, like only testing when cannabis use is suspected of affecting performance or safety? And most importantly, are we doing enough to support athletes’ overall well-being, rather than just policing their choices?

At the end of the day, cannabis testing in college athletics is about more than just a policy—it’s a reflection of the values we want our programs to uphold. Whether schools maintain testing or decide to follow the NCAA’s lead, the decision should come from a place of thoughtful consideration, not fear of change. The key is to stay engaged in the dialogue, adapt to new realities, and always keep athletes’ best interests at heart.