BY AAGD STAFF
The “weed” may be medicinal but what effect will it have for golfers with states passing laws that make it acceptable for “recreational” use? While public appeal rapidly increases for the use of cannabis, lines between what is acceptable on the golf course for players is becoming blurred.
“I’ve played golf with somebody smokin’ a ‘j’. (I didn’t partake, let alone inhale). There’s even a Canadian course, Lombard Glen Golf Course in Ontario, that marketed itself in 2019 as North America’s first “cannabis-themed golf course,” according to a golfer who told that to GolfAdvisor.com.
Now, the latest craze is CBD oil, a cannabinoid that is found in cannabis and hemp. CBD technically is not illegal or intoxicating. The increasing popular oil is making serious inroads in golf as an anti-inflammatory and to ease anxiety. According to several reports, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have ties to the benefits of the oil and have been purportedly seen chewing CBD-infused gum at tournaments.
“Why CBD, for me? I was tired of suffering from the numerous side effects that came with taking over the counter medicines to relieve my back pain, not to mention how harsh they were to my stomach,” said Demetrice Burgess, a partner in business with WaKanna CBD. “Prior to going out to golf, I use my WaKanna CBD topicals, a vegan product with no harsh ingredient. CBD is truly a pain reliever and works well for me and many of my customers.”
At this year’s PGA Merchandise Show & Convention, the Show floor was filled with a variety of CBD brands and representatives who were hoping to inform more golfers of the benefits of their products.
The hot topic of marijuana use is also heating up discussions on the PGA Tour. Last week, at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Matt Every’s first-round score on Thursday was 65. If you recall, Every, who was suspended last year for 12 weeks for violating the PGA Tour’s drug policy, believes the PGA Tour needs to amend its policy on cannabis.
“It bothers me that it’s even an issue out here at all,” he said. “I think it doesn’t do anybody any favors that it’s even on the list for a prohibited substance. You could fail for heroin and marijuana and the penalty is the same. If anyone wants to make the argument that that is performance-enhancing, they have never done it before. I promise it’s not,” said Every to GolfAdvisor.com. Every has won on both the PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour.
Highs and Lows
In an anonymous poll conducted by Golf.com last fall, roughly 60 percent of the 52 players who participated indicated that weed should be legal on Tour. One in five said they had smoked or taken an ingestible form of the drug.
But it’s the PGA Tour’s anti-doping policy and the current guidelines that are followed, as set by the World Anti-Doping Agency, that confusion begins on the issue.
For sure, golfers have a lot of anxiety on the course, both professional and amateur players. Everyone knows the struggle of the PGA Tour surrounding the drug and told GolfAdvisor.com.
“Here’s the other thing that’s weird,” he continued. “The cutoff for THC (in the body) is 150 nanograms. So you could have, you, let’s just – we’ll use me. If I get tested and I have, and I’m at 145, good to go. If I’m at 155, I’m a drug abuser. That’s ridiculous.”
Promotional products tooting the use of marijuana on golf courses, from t-shirts, caps, pipes, shorts, socks and many other items.
So, the battle continues, on-and-off the golf course.
