NBA to Stop Testing Players for Marijuana, Other Recreational Drugs

Following the lead of other sports leagues, the NBA says they will no longer test players for cannabis or other recreational drugs. According to a story in Metro Times, this change will take effect when the league starts playing games again in July. Major League Baseball has already stopped testing for anything but harder drugs, and the NFL has stopped suspending players for positive cannabis tests.

Before the rule change, NBA players were tested for substances including cannabis and could be fined or suspended for a positive test. The league says they will continue to test for performance enhancing drugs and they have Covid-19 testing in place as well. Marijuana has been hailed by many in sports as a safer alternative to opioids for non-addictive pain management. We previously reported on Al Harrington’s efforts to push the NBA to follow MLB’s lead.