NBA players can now smoke weed without being banned
The American National Basketball Association (NBA) is reportedly set to change its stance on cannabis use among its players. In a move that will follow in the footsteps of other American sports leagues, NBA players will no longer face penalties for consuming cannabis.
This decision comes as part of the league's new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which is expected to be ratified by both players and team governors. Under the proposed seven-year deal, cannabis will be removed from the drug testing programme, and players will no longer be punished for its use.
I say bong rips every quarter. Slow the pace down a bit.
— Rosie the Patriot Pug (@pug_rosie) April 1, 2023
This marks a significant shift in the NBA's position, as the league previously banned cannabis and penalised players for its consumption. The decision to remove cannabis from the banned substance list will align the NBA with other sports leagues that have already relaxed their policies regarding cannabis use.
NBA players hearing no more random marijuana tests pic.twitter.com/9Y2HJKjOPg
— SSB (@SSBurner_) October 6, 2021
In 2021, the NFL agreed that players would only be tested once per year, and those who failed the test would face a fine instead of a lengthy suspension.
- The UFC also announced in 2021 that they would no longer punish fighters over positive cannabis tests.
- The NBA initially suspended random testing for cannabis in March 2020 due to the pandemic and has since extended the suspension for three successive seasons.
- In late 2021, the NBA announced that it would no longer randomly test players for cannabis use, focusing instead on performance-enhancing products and drugs of abuse.
POV of defenders trying to guard Kyrie while high as hell
— TheCoolBlackNerd (@1CoolBlackNerd) April 1, 2023
😮💨🍃🍃 pic.twitter.com/xlbCxd0eUH
The decision to ease the rules on cannabis use in the NBA comes after Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant revealed in an interview with David Letterman that he had smoked marijuana when he was 22 years old. Durant said that he used cannabis to clear his mind during stressful moments, likening it to having a glass of wine.
The change in stance on cannabis use reflects a growing trend in society towards the legalisation and normalisation of cannabis use. With the NBA set to join other sports leagues in relaxing its policies regarding cannabis use, it is likely that other professional sports organisations will follow suit in the coming years.
Snoop Dogg found hooping as soon as he heard the NBA allowing marijuana😭💀 pic.twitter.com/KRIfNhLrpT
— Shadez (@ShadezRoyale) April 2, 2023
The decision to remove cannabis from its list of banned substances and stop penalising players for its use is in line with the broader trend of cannabis legalisation and normalisation in the United States. Over the past decade, more and more states have legalised cannabis for both medical and recreational use, and public opinion has shifted in favour of legalisation.
Brandon Ingram heard about the NBA not testing for marijuana and wasted no time😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/oEvmEO8Rxq
— urfav.real.shi (@urfav_real_shi) April 2, 2023
If the CBA is ratified by both players and team governors, players will no longer have to worry about facing punishment for consuming cannabis. By adapting to this changing legal landscape, the NBA is helping destigmatise cannabis use and sending a message that it is not inherently harmful or immoral.