Marijuana might have become legal in Canada today, but it remains a banned substance for players of all ages in the Canadian Hockey League.

Western Hockey League Commissioner Ron Robison said they ramped up the education side of things as legalization approached.

"The reality is that cannabis products are banned substances under the national anti-doping policy, so our players are tested on a regular basis randomly. We have to make sure they're properly educated, to make sure, as this particular substance becomes legalized, that it really doesn't matter in our world because the banned substance continues to be banned and consequently there can be no consumption of that product if you're playing in the Western Hockey League," said Robison.

The WHL conducts random drug tests, a first-time offence for marijuana yields a warning, while a second offence means a suspension is applied.

The league doesn't disclose test results, as it deals with marijuana use internally with the player.

Legalization isn't an entirely new thing for the WHL to deal with, as Everett, Seattle, Spokane, Tri-City (all in Washington), and Portland (in Oregon) are in states where marijuana was already legal.

"Of course the legal age limit is something that we're mindful of as well," Robison said. "We're talking about young players and athletes and making sure that from a lifestyle point of view that they're making good decisions. There's a healthy lifestyle aspect of it as well as the fact that we have some experience in that both Washington State and Oregon have legalized it previously and consequently, we want to make sure in Canada where the legal age is certainly younger, that these players are fully aware or the risks associated — especially the fact that it is a banned substance within our system."

The legal age of consumption in Washington and Oregon is 21, while Canadian provinces have set either 18 or 19 as the minimum age.

Recently former NHLer Riley Cote spoke out about cannabis and hockey, saying it has medical benefits that could help mitigate the use of prescription drugs.

Robison anticipates the WHL will come across a medical application of cannabis at some point.

"There is a medicinal application to the product, we're very aware of that, as our medical staffs and training staffs are aware of that, and there is an ability within our national anti-doping program to get a therapeutic exemption should a player require that," he said. "It has to be accompanied by clear evidence from their doctor that this is something that's required as opposed to something that might be used on a more recreational basis or casual basis from time to time."

Robison added that the league hasn't received any of those doctor's notes yet, but added they "expect that will come over a period of time."