Although many individual states have legalized medicinal and recreational cannabis use, THC still technically remains federally illegal, aside from the stipulations laid out for hemp products in the 2018 Farm Bill. Therefore, private organizations such as employers and, in this case, sports leagues, still reserve the right to test for cannabis use. Even if a cannabis product is legally purchased and used in a state where it is considered legal to do so, it will still result in a positive drug screening. In this article, we will examine whether the NFL allows cannabis use and if not, what disciplinary actions they may implement.

Is Cannabis Legal In the United States?

Delta-9 THC is the primary psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana. It’s what produces the “high” that marijuana is known for and, in turn, is the most controversial cannabinoid. When the U.S. Farm Bill was passed back in 2018, hemp products which contain no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC were federally legalized. Any plants and products that contain more than this amount remain illegal on the federal level.

However, each state has their own cannabis legislation. As of 2025, at least 29 states have legalized recreational cannabis use while 40 states have legalized medicinal cannabis use. Naturally, this difference between federal and state law can cause a lot of confusion. That’s why Happy Fruit recommends that you stay informed about cannabis legality in the United States. 

Can NFL Players Use Cannabis?

The short answer is, no, the NFL does not permit the use of cannabis. But in recent years, the organization has lightened its view on THC. Of course, athletes are subjected to regular drug testing, primarily to discourage the use of performance enhancing drugs. About four years ago, the NFL agreed to stop suspending players for cannabis use. Instead, they implement fines for positive results on drug screenings. At the end of last year, the organization revisited their substance abuse policies and reduced these fines. Previously, the fine for a THC violation was half of a game check. The penalty is now $15,000. The NFL also increased the permissible THC limit that players can have in their system during the offseason from 150 ng/ml to 350 ng/ml. Therefore, while the organization still does not permit cannabis use, they are being more lenient. Perhaps one day NFL players will be able to use cannabis freely.

For Legal THC Gummies, Try Happy Fruit!

Finding safe, legal, and legitimate THC gummies is no simple task. Between claims on product labels and an abundance of products to choose from, it  can be difficult to tell which products are objectively better than others. That’s why Happy Fruit provides lab test results for all of our products on our website. So customers can see for themselves exactly what ingredients our gummies contain. You’ll find no traces of harmful solvents or pesticides in our gummies. You’ll also see that our claims for cannabinoid content are extremely accurate. So the next time you’re searching for the best THC gummies, try Happy Fruit!