NBA players can now legally smoke weed

The NBA and NBPA reached an agreement over the weekend for the 2023-2024 season, according to a statement released by the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). The seven-year collective agreement stipulates that NBA players will no longer be tested or penalized for using cannabis.

Assuming the contract is approved by both team governors and players, the NBA’s drug testing program would no longer include cannabis, with the suspension of cannabis testing continuing for the current season. The Athletic reported further details of the negotiations, including:

• NBA players now have the opportunity to invest in NBA and WNBA teams through a private equity firm selected by the NBPA. Additionally, players participating in the NBA Combine will be instructed to undergo physical exams, which will be shared with specific teams based on player predictions.

• Veteran renewal caps are now increased from 120% to 140%, allowing for greater flexibility and significant impact. Currently, the CBA stipulates that teams and players can only increase a player’s salary by 120% in the first year of overtime unless the player is a designated player or earns less than the league average salary.

• To qualify for major individual league awards such as All-NBA and MVP recognition, players must play at least 65 games. In addition, starting in the 2023-24 season, the NBA In-Season Tournament championship team will receive $500,000 per player in prize money.

• A second tax apron will be introduced under the new GAV. If a team crosses this apron, they lose their taxpayer mid-level exemption. Additionally, teams can now offer a third two-way contract via a cap exemption. The CBA will also introduce a new second-round pick exception that will allow teams to sign second-round players without using their mid-level exception.

Tamika Tremaglio, Executive Director of the NBPA, explained on Twitter that these negotiations were aimed from the start to protect players and improve their lives on and off the pitch. The plan was also to create a structure that recognizes our players as true partners to governors in the NBA and the broader business community.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, the NBA stopped conducting random drug tests for marijuana. This policy has been extended for the 2021-22 season. During this time, Mike Bass, a spokesman for the NBA, announced that the league would focus its sampling program on performance-enhancing drugs.

The National Basketball Players Association said on Twitter that they will release detailed information once a term sheet is finalized.

Cannabis policy in other sports

The NFL

For the 2020-2021 season, the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement revised the league’s marijuana policy, allowing players to use cannabis during the off-season but still prohibiting it during the game season.

In addition, the CBA raised the threshold for a positive marijuana test from 35 nanograms to 150 nanograms and eliminated suspensions for positive drug tests, replacing them with fines. Previously, the league randomly tested ten players from each team weekly during the season, and six positive tests resulted in a one-year ban.

The MLB

During the 2019 offseason, MLB removed marijuana from its banned substance list and allowed players to use the drug recreationally. Nonetheless, gamblers can still be confronted with the consequences of cannabis use when demonstrating its effects during exercise, games, workouts, meetings or other activities related to their occupation.

The NHL

Cannabis is not considered a prohibited substance by the NHL, and players will not be penalized if they test positive for it. If a player’s urine test shows “abnormally high readings,” he may be offered entry into the league’s substance abuse and behavioral health program, which he may refuse. However, the NHL will not be notified of their participation.

The Olympic games

The Olympics adheres to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s drug policy, which prohibits the use of cannabis during the competitive season but allows it in the off-season. Sha’Carri Richardson, an American Olympic runner, made headlines after being disqualified from the 2021 Olympics after testing positive for marijuana.

She tested positive after winning the Olympic trials in Oregon, where marijuana is legal. However, since the American Athletics Association is affiliated with the Olympic Games, it also adheres to WADA’s drug policy.

Some NBA players banned for cannabis use

Malik Beasley

During the 2020-2021 season, Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Malik Beasley was suspended for 12 games without pay following his arrest for possession of cannabis and concealing stolen property. The suspension cost him $1.1 million.

Dion waiter

During the 2019-2020 season, Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters was suspended for ten games without pay. This comes after he suffered a panic attack on a team flight from consuming a THC-infused edible.

Larry Sanders

During the 2013-2014 season, Larry Sanders tested positive for cannabis and was subsequently suspended for at least 10 games without pay. As a forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders was suspended for cannabis use and missed the last five games of the 2013-2014 season. Before his contract expired, the Bucks bought him for $15 million.

Moritz Taylor

In the 2006-2007 NBA season, Sacramento Kings forward Maurice Taylor was suspended for five games without pay for his third positive test for marijuana use. He previously admitted to using marijuana and was suspended for the first five games of the 2002-2003 season.

Diploma

We can see that regulations for marijuana use in sports have changed over time. While some leagues have removed it from their list of banned substances, others have changed their rules or replaced penalties with fines. Marijuana-related penalties have included suspensions and financial losses for athletes. It’s unclear how these rules will evolve in the future as more states legalize marijuana for both medical and recreational use.

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The NBA is throwing in the towel on testing weed, read this!