As cannabis reform continues to reshape the American sports conversation, a growing number of former professional baseball players have begun carving out roles within the industry. Their motivations vary—personal wellness, entrepreneurial opportunity, or advocacy for safer recovery tools—but the trend highlights how rapidly attitudes toward cannabis have shifted across Major League Baseball and society at large.

Former All-Star pitcher Ryan Dempster is among the most visible examples. After retiring, Dempster became a supporter of CBD-based recovery options, citing the growing body of research that suggests cannabinoids may support inflammation reduction, sleep quality, and overall recovery. Although he has not launched a brand himself, Dempster’s public backing helped open the door for athletes to talk about cannabis without the stigma that once followed such conversations.

Another pioneer is David Wells, the longtime left-hander whose career spanned more than two decades. Wells has been outspoken about his use of CBD to manage chronic pain linked to a lifetime on the mound. He partnered with CBD companies to promote non-psychoactive wellness products designed for athletes and aging consumers. His willingness to speak candidly about pain management challenges resonated with baseball fans who followed his career through cycles of surgeries and rehab.

Perhaps no story illustrates the changing landscape better than Steve Kerr, though known first for his NBA career, he has spoken on MLB-related pain management conversations. Meanwhile, within baseball circles, former infielder Adam Greenberg has stepped deeply into the wellness marketplace, launching a CBD brand focused on performance recovery. His transition from athlete to entrepreneur has been closely watched, especially after his experiences with injuries and his brief but unforgettable MLB comeback moment.

Former pitching prospect Dirk Hayhurst, who built a second career as a writer and broadcaster, has also supported broader cannabis research. While not tied directly to a product line, Hayhurst’s commentary on player wellness and mental health reflects themes echoed across the cannabis community.

MLB’s evolving policies have played a significant role in making these transitions possible. Since 2020, cannabis has been removed from MLB’s “drugs of abuse” list for major leaguers, shifting testing to focus primarily on opioids and performance-enhancing substances. Though minor league players remain under stricter rules, the cultural shift inside clubhouses is undeniable. Players now discuss CBD creams, tinctures, and recovery balms with the same openness once reserved for ice baths and compression sleeves.

For fans, these athlete-driven ventures offer something new: a chance to follow beloved former players into a different competitive arena, one defined by wellness innovation rather than batting averages. For the players themselves, entering cannabis business is often more than a commercial move—it’s a reflection of personal battles with pain, injury, and long-term health challenges.

As more retired athletes step forward, baseball’s cannabis conversation will only deepen. The trend shows no sign of slowing, and its impact reaches far beyond product labels. It’s shaping the future of athlete wellness and pushing the sport into a new era of openness around recovery tools once considered taboo.