NBA Removes Cannabis from Prohibited Substances List

NEW YORK- In a significant development, league officials and the NBA Players Association have recently inked a comprehensive collective bargaining agreement that effectively removes cannabis from the league’s list of prohibited substances. This landmark agreement formalizes the changes that were initially introduced as a temporary measure in 2020, curtailing the ability of league officials to conduct random cannabis screenings on players and impose penalties for positive test results.

According to the revised policy, NBA teams now have the authority to direct players suspected of grappling with marijuana-related dependency concerns to undergo mandatory evaluations by the Medical Director. However, the league will no longer subject players to drug testing specifically targeting past cannabis use.

The alterations to the NBA’s drug policy align it with the steps taken by Major League Baseball, which recently eliminated cannabis from its list of banned substances. While the NFL and the NHL continue to conduct drug tests for cannabis consumption among certain players, they have ceased issuing suspensions for positive results. In June, the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s regulatory body also demonstrated support for the removal of cannabis from its list of banned drugs and testing protocols.

The new NBA agreement incorporates further changes regarding marijuana, granting players the unprecedented freedom to engage in promotional activities or endorse any brand, product, or service associated with CBD products. However, this permission explicitly excludes marijuana companies from being involved in such partnerships.