Survey of athletes have suggested that marijuana use is rare but it may vary by sport to sport. Major league baseball players have used marijuana in the past and are still using it now. The use of marijuana is not publicly seen by the players however traces of the drug is detected usually in urine samples taken for medical reasons. Marijuana can be inhaled or ingested for many medical or even non-medical purposes hence the athletes can use it without any hassle.
At this point there is no definitive evidence reported of marijuana to be used as a performance enhancing drug however the athletes consider it beneficial in many ways for their sport. Most of the athletes are seen to begin experimenting with marijuana at a very young age.
Some studies suggested a higher prevalence of marijuana use among elite athletes and other suggested the reverse this variation is related to the laws of legalization and illegalization in different parts of the country. Therapeutic potential of compounds that are derived from marijuana has been supported by recent scientific studies which has increased the usage of marijuana among the athletes. It is believed that athletes who use marijuana are comparatively competitive then the rest of the players. It has great impact on health and performance as it helps with nausea, loss of appetite, pain and spasms. Athletes have reported improvement in spasticity, muscle pain. It helps them with their sleep time and recovery which may favour performance when an athlete is facing multiple competition in a short period.
Some studies have shown marijuana could also help relieve symptoms associated with glaucoma, which is a leading cause of visual impairment, the THC content reduces the intraocular pressure build by this disease.
Evidence of serious harms from marijuana is not so high but anyhow an athlete should stay away from it as it may be harmful and may cause any health or mental issue at any point of time in the athletes life therefore athletes should take lessons from other recreational marijuana cases where people have faced some serious health issues like acute impairment of psychomotor skills and cognitive functions. Although it is believed by the players to be beneficial the safest way of staying risk free is to stop its use.
