NFL, CANNABIS & SUPER BOWL 2025: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE KICKOFF
Super Bowl LIX is almost here. This year, the big game lands in New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 9, 2025.
In previous years, STIIIZY has actively participated in Super Bowl festivities. For instance, during Super Bowl LVII, STIIIZY collaborated with Rolling Stone for a memorable party in Scottsdale, Arizona. Additionally, in 2024, STIIIZY hosted a block party on Fremont Street in Las Vegas, celebrating Super Bowl week with fans. These events highlight the brand's commitment to engaging with the community during major sporting events.
This year, instead of a preset matchup, expect two of the league’s top teams to battle it out for football glory. As you get ready for the excitement in one of America’s most culturally rich cities, the evolving link between cannabis culture and the NFL comes to mind.
FOOTBALL & CANNABIS: AN EVOLVING STORY
We have witnessed a long journey with football and cannabis. Back then, the league rarely questioned a puff or two. That all changed in the 1980s when a stricter stance took shape. We saw the NFL start testing and punishing players as part of a nationwide drive to enforce a zero-tolerance policy. While many fans enjoyed a laid-back game day ritual, the league decided that any use was simply not acceptable.
NFL CANNABIS POLICIES AND PLAYER USE
Over the decades, we observed the NFL’s approach evolve. In the 1980s, as public pressure and political shifts pushed for tougher drug measures, the league adopted rigorous testing protocols and harsh penalties. More recently, change may finally be coming. In 2020, a proposal circulated by the NFL Players Union suggested that marijuana suspensions could be eliminated, reflecting growing player support for more lenient treatment for cannabis use.
Then, more recently, the NFL adopted a new policy that reduces fines and increases the THC limit for drug tests. This update signals that even though the league’s rules remain strict, there is a nod toward modernizing outdated policies.
Now, in 2025, we see a culture where the game stays fiercely competitive, yet conversations about cannabis have relaxed. Public opinion and player voices continue to push for change, and while the NFL still enforces strict policies, these new proposals and updates show a gradual shift.
NOTABLE NFL VOICES ON CANNABIS
Over the years, we’ve seen several NFL voices openly share their experiences with cannabis use.
Ricky Williams' career is one of the most striking examples of the NFL's shifting attitudes. In 2004, he retired early after multiple failed drug tests for marijuana, only to return and face more suspensions. At the time, the league viewed his cannabis use as a violation of its strict substance-abuse policy, despite growing medical evidence supporting marijuana’s therapeutic potential.
Now, Williams is a cannabis entrepreneur, launching Highsman, a lifestyle brand promoting cannabis for wellness. He argues that the league's approach to cannabis has always been strategic:
"When I learned that, it became obvious that things are not going to change until the NFL is confident fans are okay with players using cannabis."
Williams sees the NFL's recent funding of cannabis research as a calculated move to eventually remove cannabis from its banned substances list.
Calvin Johnson, a Hall of Fame wide receiver, is another major advocate for cannabis in the NFL. Unlike Williams, who faced direct penalties, Johnson quietly used cannabis during his career to manage pain. After retiring, he co-founded Primitiv, a cannabis research company focused on studying how marijuana helps with chronic pain and CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy).
Johnson believes cannabis should be seen as medicine rather than a recreational drug. He has partnered with Harvard University to research its effectiveness in treating neurological conditions common in former athletes. Unlike celebrity cannabis brands that lean toward recreational products, Primitiv aims to educate the public and push for better policies that promote research-based cannabis solutions.
WHICH NFL PLAYERS SMOKE MARIJUANA?
The NFL has seen several players openly discuss their cannabis use, shedding light on its prevalence in professional football. Some former and current players from the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles have openly discussed cannabis, with a mix of perspectives.
While some have actively supported research, policy changes, and player well-being, others have had personal experiences that brought cannabis use into the spotlight. Here are some notable names who have contributed to the ongoing discussion:
1. Travis Kelce
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce estimated that 50% to 80% of NFL players use cannabis. Reflecting on his own experience, Kelce was suspended for the entire 2010 season at the University of Cincinnati after testing positive for marijuana. He believes that many players use cannabis for relaxation and pain relief, especially during the off-season.
2. Le'Veon Bell
Running back Le'Veon Bell, who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020, revealed that he smoked marijuana before NFL games. In a podcast interview, Bell mentioned that he would smoke and then go out and have some of his best games. His admission adds to the ongoing discussion about cannabis use in professional sports.
3. Chris Long
Former Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Chris Long openly admitted that he used cannabis throughout his NFL career. He praised the league’s new policies and advocated for better alternatives to opioids. Long believes cannabis helped him manage the demands of professional football without relying on prescription painkillers.
5. Todd Herremans
Former Eagles offensive lineman Todd Herremans supports cannabis for player wellness. Since retiring, he has joined Athletes for Care, an organization that promotes cannabis education for athletes. Herremans believes that responsible cannabis use can benefit both active and retired players dealing with pain and recovery.
6. Nigel Bradham
Former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nigel Bradham had a brief legal encounter involving cannabis in 2013 while playing for the Buffalo Bills. Police found a small amount of marijuana in his possession after stopping his vehicle, but there was no indication he had been using it while driving. A judge later dropped the charge, provided he stayed out of trouble for six months. While Bradham hasn't been outspoken about cannabis, his case reflects how NFL players have historically faced scrutiny over small-scale marijuana possession.
7. Bashaud Breeland
Former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Bashaud Breeland had a minor legal incident involving cannabis early in his career. In 2014, while playing for Washington, police cited him for misdemeanor marijuana possession. The team acknowledged the incident but declined to comment further. Although Breeland hasn't publicly advocated for cannabis reform, his experience highlights the NFL's evolving stance on marijuana use over the years.
NFL PENALTIES AND POLICIES
The NFL has established clear policies and penalties to maintain order and sportsmanship. The NFL and the NFL Players Association have agreed to modify their substance abuse policy, increasing the THC level for a positive test.
Additionally, the NFL has reduced fines for positive tests. A first violation now results in a $15,000 fine, down from a previous penalty of a 50% game check. Subsequent violations incur increased fines.
Right now, active NFL players aren’t allowed to use cannabis, even for potential therapeutic benefits. Although a process exists for therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) for certain substances, very few exemptions for cannabis are granted because of the league’s strict rules.
CANNABIS AND SUPER BOWL LIX
The big game in New Orleans brings its own cultural blend. Every year, cannabis fans joke about a “Super Bowl” to complement their game day celebrations. Despite the NFL’s firm policies, cannabis culture has made its mark on football. Past halftime shows have highlighted this influence, and Super Bowl LIX is set to continue that trend, even if official in-stadium use remains off limits.
ADVERTISING AND GAME DAY POLICIES
Super Bowl ads are renowned for their creativity, humor, and often jaw-dropping budgets. These commercials have become an integral part of the viewing experience, drawing millions of viewers who are just as excited to see the ads as they are to watch the game itself. From heartwarming narratives to laugh-out-loud antics, these commercials often spark national conversations and become a cultural phenomenon.
However, one category you won’t see represented during Super Bowl LIX is cannabis brands. Despite the growing legalization of cannabis across various states and its booming industry, cannabis-related promotions remain excluded from the big game. This absence is largely due to federal regulations that classify cannabis as a Schedule I substance, making it illegal at the federal level. As a result, major networks broadcasting the Super Bowl, as well as the NFL's strict advertising guidelines, prohibit cannabis-related advertisements from airing during the event.
Adding to these restrictions, the venue hosting Super Bowl LIX—New Orleans’ iconic stadium—enforces a strict drug- and smoke-free policy. This means that not only are cannabis-related ads barred from the broadcast, but fans attending the game in person will also be required to adhere to these regulations, ensuring the stadium remains a substance-free environment.
While cannabis brands may find other avenues to reach their audience, their absence from the Super Bowl highlights the continued challenges the industry faces in achieving mainstream acceptance in certain spaces. For now, viewers can expect the usual mix of beer commercials, car ads, and tech promotions to dominate the screen.
RESCHEDULING CANNABIS AND SPORTS IMPLICATIONS
There’s a political push to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III. If this change happens, it could transform not only the cannabis industry but also professional sports. A rescheduling might lead to expanded research opportunities, more relaxed testing protocols, and even new advertising partnerships. In an election year, many are watching closely to see if change comes sooner than expected.
CAN YOU SMOKE WEED AT THE SUPER BOWL?
Planning to light up at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on February 9, 2025? Hold that thought. Despite Louisiana's medical marijuana program, recreational use remains illegal in the state. Moreover, the NFL enforces strict no-smoking policies at all its events, including the Super Bowl. This means smoking marijuana inside the Caesars Superdome is a no-go. To avoid any game-day penalties, it's best to leave the cannabis at home.
CELEBRATE SUPER BOWL LIX WITH STIIIZY
STIIIZY has been part of the growing conversation about cannabis and professional football. For Super Bowl LIX, we invite you to join in the celebration, whether you’re hosting a watch party or joining a local gathering in New Orleans. Stock up on your favorite STIIIZY merchandise, and enjoy a festive atmosphere that honors both the thrill of football and the evolving cannabis culture. Remember to celebrate responsibly and follow local guidelines!
The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your healthcare provider and local laws before purchasing or consuming cannabis.
