Can NBA Players Smoke Weed? The League’s Evolving Stance

The NBA’s Past Standing on Cannabis

Historically, the NBA had a firm stance on the issue of marijuana use among its players. In 1983, the league implemented a policy on drug testing, which included a test for marijuana. Those found positive were to be fined, suspended, and even banned from the league.

In 1999, the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) reached an agreement to include marijuana in the leagues anti-drug program. According to that policy, players who tested positive for cannabis would have the following penalties applied:

• First offense: Required to attend a substance abuse program
• Second offense: A fine of $25,000; may also be suspended
• Third offense: 5-game suspension
• Fourth offense: 10-game suspension
• Fifth offense: 25-game suspension
• Sixth offense: 1-year suspension

These harsh penalties reflected the leagues zero-tolerance policy regarding marijuana use at that time.

Shifting Attitudes and Policy Changes

In recent years, the NBA’s stance on cannabis has begun to soften. With the winds of public opinion shifting, in addition to changing legislation, towards marijuana following its legalization in a number of states, the NBA altered its drug testing policy in 2020.

Under the new policy, the league is not going to test for marijuana during the off-season. At the same time, during the season, the threshold has been increased from 15 ng/mL to 35 ng/mL for a positive test. In essence, this permits players to use cannabis in the off-season without fear of repercussions and lowers the chances of getting a positive test during the season.

Worth noting is this policy change; this will not be a full, out-of-the-box endorsement for the use of cannabis from the NBA. Players testing positive during the season will still be required to mandatorily attend a substance abuse program. However, the league will no longer enforce fines or suspensions handed to players who test positive for the first time.

Player Perspectives on Cannabis Use

Many current and former NBA players have spoken out for cannabis reform and their own use of the drug. Some of the most famous examples include the following:

• Kevin Durant: The Brooklyn Nets star invested in various cannabis businesses and speaks freely about his own use of marijuana for the purpose of relief from stress.
• Al Harrington: Perhaps the most well-known athlete advocating for cannabis use in sports today, this former NBA champion player went on to found a cannabis company called Viola Brands while educating other athletes about the possible advantages that marijuana can bring to an athlete’s career.
• Dwyane Wade: The former legend of the Miami Heat invested in the cannabis industry and spoke his mind on using CBD products for recovery and wellness.

These, and other players, have helped to normalize the conversation around cannabis use in the NBA, all the while fighting for more progressive policies.

League vs. State Laws

Worth noting here is that, while the NBA relaxed its drug policy, teams and players are still bound by state and federal law. Even if it would not result in any league action against them, players still could be subject to legal action by states in which cannabis remains illegal for amount or purpose.

This discrepancy between league policy and local laws will lead to confusion and potential risks for players. For them, it’s important to keep themselves updated, especially in relation to specific regulations of their teams’ home state and all states they may visit for games.

Conclusion

The policy of the NBA concerning marijuana use among its players has changed much over the years, mirroring greater societal shifts in opinion and moves toward cannabis legalization. Although it has rolled back the frequency of drug testing and reduced the penalties for positive tests, by no stretch of the imagination does it condone or allow marijuana use.

The debate over marijuana use is likely to continue shifting in the NBA and other professional sports leagues as more states come to legalize it, with research emerging on its probable benefits and risks that it poses for athletes. But for now, players must navigate a thorny political landscape of league policies, rules put in place by individual teams, and state laws regarding their cannabis use.

Ultimately, whether a player decides to use marijuana or not is a strictly personal decision, hinged on the peculiarities of each player’s circumstances, health needs, and risk tolerance. As attitudes continue shifting, it will be highly enlightening to watch how the NBA rationale related to cannabis use develops in the years to come.