The NCAA's Research department recently surveyed Division I, Division II, and Division III student-athletes to cull drug use among them. The responses revealed the overarching revelation that while over 80% of college athletes admit drinking alcohol in the last year, only 22% admit smoking marijuana in the last year.
As is the case with in survey, the following results need be taken with a grain of Kush based on the respondents and the circumstances surrounding the survey. Many student-athletes simply won't feel comfortable checking off the weed box, particularly while they're in a classroom or locker room.
Here's how cannabis use compared to other substances amongst student-athletes:
22% of #NCAA student-athletes report using marijuana in the past year vs. 33% of college students generally. pic.twitter.com/Mq4uyAct0q
— NCAA Research (@NCAAResearch) July 24, 2014
Again, that 22% number could very well be weighed down by responders hesitant to admit cannabis use, even for an anonymous survey. The poll also displayed that lacrosse players have a higher penchant for pot than any other type of college athlete:
#NCAA men's sports w/ highest reported use of marijuana past yr: Lax, Swimming, Soccer. pic.twitter.com/UFHOkiYzV6 — NCAA Research (@NCAAResearch) July 24, 2014
Maybe this result can be contributed to the Vineyard Vines correlation and the fact that lacrosse players typically come from privileged backgrounds that give them money to blow. Whatever the reason, laxers weren't just the highest tokers. Lacrosse players also had a clean sweep across the substance board, also taking top honors in cocaine use, tobacco use, synthetic marijuana use, and alcohol use.
Moreover–and unsurprisingly–more Division III athletes admitted to smoking the reefer in the last year than their Division I and Division II counterparts:
Reported marijuana use by #NCAA division: DI 16% DII 20% DIII 29% #NCAAD3 use up, others level pic.twitter.com/9uEtfWzI6M
— NCAA Research (@NCAAResearch) July 24, 2014
Unlike Division I athletes, the offseason is actually an offseason for Division III athletes. They have more time to socialize, focus on work, and smoke weed. They also don't have to worry about qualifying for nationally televised NCAA tournaments.
While unsurprising that lacrosse players let loose more than other athletes, it's surprising a mere 22% of college athletes say they've smoked weed in the last year. If you've been on a college campus, that -seems like too low of a low number. Even for our future Olympians.