Following a new, tentative collective bargaining agreement reached on April 1st, 2023, it appears that the NBA will no longer be drug testing for cannabis. Although, this is still “pending ratification by players and team governors” according to nbpa.com.
This shouldn’t be a surprise for many. Commissioner Adam Silver has been open and vocal about his positive thoughts on the drug. Back in 2019, he was quoted saying in a Yahoo interview “If they want to smoke pot in the summer, whatever. It’s legal in a lot of states…No issue.” The following year, covid happened and the tide started to shift.
In 2020, during the covid pandemic, the NBA had a shortened season in Orlando. They played games in “the bubble.” When this took place, the league and Silver decided that performance-enhancing drugs and drugs of abuse (methamphetamines, cocaine, and opiates) would take priority in testing. In 2021, the league again decided to stick with the same policy.
This was all foreshadowing of the events unfolding now. However, back in 2019, Silver did say that he thinks there is some “concern” with smoking during the season. Well, it seems that much has changed, because this new agreement will allow just that. And Silver isn’t the only one who has been progressive on the cannabis front. Several current and former players and coaches have also spoken out.
Players and Coaches Who Have Been Open About Cannabis Use
With the growing social and legal acceptance of cannabis, players, and coaches in the NBA have begun speaking up about their beliefs and usage. During the covid season in 2019-2020, former NBA vet and world champion J.R. Smith spoke out about how “we was blowing it down in there.” His take on cannabis is enlightening, as he speaks on its effects to elevate one’s game simply by enabling you to be at peace with yourself and be relaxed.
Steve Nash, a Hall-of-Fame inductee, let it be known on the All the Smoke podcast that he has used cannabis ever since retirement as a player. He talks about how it has helped him get to sleep and be a better father because of it. He also talks about how he thinks it will soon be part of many athletes’ lives (legally of course). Hopefully, it takes precedence over opioids.
What this means for the NBA
In regards to the NBA, the decision to not drug test for cannabis is vital. There are 23 states/territories in the U.S. that have made the drug legal for recreational use. Of those 23, 9 have one or more NBA teams. Being told you can’t use something that is recognized as legal isn’t easy.
Luckily, players no longer have to worry. They can now use cannabis with peace of mind. Even those who aren’t in legal states. In all the medical states, players may now be able to get their medical cards instead of taking prescribed pills to treat anxiety, pain, or even sleep disorders.
It’s an overall success for the league, especially being the trailblazer of the big four sports (NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB) to completely get rid of testing. Having big-name athletes miss time for using a harmless and legal drug (in some states) is a bad look for business.
What this Means for Other Sports
UFC
The UFC is one of the major sports organizations (in the U.S.) that have eliminated cannabis and THC from the banned substance list. The only catch is if there is evidence of an athlete using it for “performance-enhancing” purposes or if they are high during a fight. This was announced back in January 2021. Not too long after the NBA’s decision.
MLB
As for the other major sports orgs (MLB, NFL, and NHL), the MLB is the only other one to not even test for cannabis. In 2019, MLB Communications on Twitter posted that the MLB took natural cannabinoids (THC, CBD, etc.) off of their drugs of abuse list. It is now “treated the same as alcohol-related conduct…” Coincidentally, this was right around the time of Adam Silvers’ comments and policy change in the NBA.
NHL
In the NHL, the policy is almost identical to the UFC and MLB, with one catch. They still test for cannabis. If a player is caught with a positive test, nothing happens, unless they have an abnormally high amount of THC in their system. Then it is treated as a health matter, similar to how having an alcohol problem would be treated.
NFL
With arguably the highest amount of cannabis users (around 80% according to former players like Martellus Bennett and Ricky Williams), the NFL has the strictest policy. They still test for THC in season, although, from April 20th-August 9th, THC is excluded from testing. This is misleading because, according to their policy, players are tested for THC from the pre-season training camp to the first pre-season game. Well, pre-season training camps start in July.
For a player to test positive, they would have to hit the threshold of 150ng/ml, which is up substantially from the old CBA when it was 35ng/ml. Still, when a player tests positive, they are subject to the intervention program which then has several levels if not done properly. Read more about it here.
For having such a high percentage of cannabis users, the NFL needs to do away with testing of THC. It is egregious and unfair. Many players in the past have been wrongfully suspended and kicked out of the league for utilizing cannabis instead of opioids.
This comes from a league that is known for having retired players that are dependent or addicted to opioids. In 2020, a study found that over 25% of retired players with exposure to pain meds during their careers had recently used prescription opioids. Unacceptable.
References:
- Dunne EM, Striley CW, Mannes ZL, Asken BM, Ennis N, Cottler LB. Reasons for Prescription Opioid Use While Playing in the National Football League as Risk Factors for Current Use and Misuse Among Former Players. Clin J Sport Med. 2020 Nov;30(6):544-549. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000628. PMID: 29933284; PMCID: PMC6310671.
- https://nflpaweb.blob.core.windows.net/website/2022-NFL-Policy-and-Program-on-Substances-of-Abuse.pdf
- “UFC Announces Formal Changes to Anti-Doping Policy Related to Cannabis.” UFC, 14 Jan. 2021, https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-announces-formal-changes-anti-doping-policy-related-cannabis.