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In 2016, Seantrel Henderson, a standout offensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills, found his promising NFL career interrupted by a 10-game suspension for using cannabis to treat his Crohn’s Disease. While the suspension itself was a clear signal of the NFL’s zero-tolerance policy at the time, Henderson’s situation highlighted a growing conversation about the role cannabis could play in managing chronic health conditions.

Henderson, drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, was an integral part of the team’s offensive line, starting 28 games during his career. However, his battle with Crohn’s Disease—a chronic condition that causes severe inflammation in the digestive tract—added a layer of difficulty to his already demanding profession. While the disease frequently left him battling debilitating gastrointestinal issues, Henderson continued to fight through the pain and remain a key player. That is, until his cannabis use to alleviate those symptoms resulted in a suspension that cast a shadow over his career.

“I hadn’t even been thinking about cannabis until it was brought up to me by a doctor…” adding “I was depressed, I was down, I was insecure about myself, I had the bag, not being able to use the bathroom for three or four months. I couldn’t do anything I wanted to do, I lost all that weight, I was very unhealthy. I had no appetite like it used to be, so it really had my mind not all the way together. After I had the second surgery, and I started getting back into working out and things like that, things started being on the up and up for me.” -Seantrel Henderson

Seantrel Henderson’s agent, Brain Fettner added; “They’ll give you pain-killers by the bottle, which are far, far worse than cannabis.” 

In 2016, the NFL’s cannabis policy was stringent. With a relatively low THC threshold for positive testing—150 ng/ml—athletes like Henderson who used cannabis for medical purposes found themselves at risk of disciplinary action. In this case, the policy failed to acknowledge the therapeutic potential of cannabis, and instead, it stood as a barrier between athletes and a viable form of relief.

In a move that acknowledges the increasing use of cannabis for recovery and pain management, the NFL and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) raised the THC threshold for a positive test from 150 ng/ml to 350 ng/ml in late December 2024. The policy update signified a significant shift in the league’s stance on cannabis. The change marked a win not only for those like Henderson who rely on cannabis to manage chronic conditions, but also for the larger sports community that is increasingly looking at cannabis as an alternative form of treatment.

The use of cannabis to manage inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)—which includes Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis—is gaining attention as a potential adjunct to traditional treatments. These conditions, which involve chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, can cause severe symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue. For many athletes like Henderson, these symptoms can significantly impact both their personal and professional lives.

Cannabis interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), particularly the CB1 and CB2 receptors, which play a role in regulating immune function and gut health. Research into how cannabis affects IBD symptoms is still in the early stages. Still, some studies suggest that cannabinoids like THC and CBD could help reduce inflammation, modulate gut motility, and alleviate pain, potentially offering relief for IBD patients who struggle with traditional treatments. While there is a growing body of evidence showing cannabis’s potential to improve symptoms of IBD, large-scale, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are still needed to confirm its long-term effectiveness.

The NFL’s updated cannabis policy is a step in the right direction for athletes who have relied on the plant for its therapeutic properties. However, Henderson’s experience serves as a reminder that athletes still face significant obstacles in managing their health when it comes to cannabis use. Looking ahead, the hope is that the league will continue to evolve its policies, providing a supportive environment for athletes to make informed choices about their health and recovery options.