Cannabis policies of American sports leagues

As more U.S. states legalize cannabis for medical and recreational purposes, many major North American professional sports leagues are adapting to changing times.

Can your favorite athletes use cannabis? From Boardroom, here’s a quick breakdown of different leagues’ positions.

N.B.A

Under the new seven-year collective bargaining agreement signed this year, NBA players will no longer be tested for cannabis. While testing has been suspended since the 2019-2020 COVID-19 season, cannabis has been removed from the league’s anti-drug testing program.

NFL

Cannabis is still a banned substance in the NFL for two reasons: first, it is still a banned substance at the federal level, and second, it will reportedly be considered a bargaining chip in the next CBA. The current agreement runs until 2030 and the league is expected to seek concessions from players.

Courtesy of HighsmanRicky Williams – Heisman Trophy winner and owner of the cannabis lifestyle brand Highsman.

While the NFL will not test players between April 20 and August 9, there will still be fines for positive tests and a four-game suspension for four positive tests.

MLB

While cannabis is no longer on the banned substance list and players are not tested, MLB players or team personnel who are under the influence during games, practices, training sessions, meetings or as part of their employment are subject to mandatory testing that could be conducted include treatment.

NHL

While the NHL tests for cannabis, there is no penalty for a positive test. However, if a player’s test results are unusually high, he will be medically examined as if it were a health matter.

MLS

Like FIFA, MLS is subject to World Anti-Doping Agency rules, which list cannabis as a banned substance. Players are subject to random and off-season drug testing.

WNBA

While the WNBA still tests for cannabis, use is only permitted on a limited basis and fines or suspensions would only be imposed for repeat violations.

NWSL

The NWSL does not test for cannabis and allows its players to sign sponsorship deals with cannabis brands.

PGA Tour, LPGA

PGA and LPGA Tours golfers are subject to random drug testing in accordance with WADA standards.

Courtesy of the PGA TourMatt Every – suspended from the PGA Tour due to a positive cannabis test.

In 2019, golfer Matt Every was suspended for 12 weeks for a positive cannabis test despite being medically prescribed cannabis in Florida.

UFC

In 2021, the UFC announced that fighters who tested positive for cannabis would not be penalized.

NASCAR

Random drug tests are carried out at NASCAR race weekends, including for cannabis.

tennis

The ATP and WTA tours subject tennis players to random drug tests to WADA standards of more than 150 nanograms per milliliter, which means a positive result.

Premier Lacrosse League

The PLL does not test for cannabis.

Featured image: Kevork Djansezian courtesy of Zuffa LLC

This article was originally published on Boardroom.