The NBA has a new law, players are free to use marijuana

NBA organizers will remove cannabis from the list of banned substance testing in the 2020/21 season, but discourage athletes from using the drug.

According to reputable sources from reporter Ben Dowsett, NBA organizers will not test marijuana with players in the 2020/21 season. This is an agreement between the Organizing Committee and the NBA Players Association (NBPA).

Before that, the two sides also reached an agreement not to test banned substances in the last NBA Bubble period. The reason is that BTC is concerned that sampling will spread the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Besides, the players also need measures to reduce stress. Many people admit to stress and show signs of depression when they have to leave their family and go to competitive competitions.

According to Shams Charania of the Athletic newspaper, tournament organizers will continue with performance enhancement testing from this season, but players will not have to worry about being positive for other stimulants, including marijuana.

Under normal circumstances, NBA players will be randomly tested six times a year, both during and out of the season. On the list of banned substances are steroids, performance enhancers, drugs and cannabis, including medical marijuana.

With drugs like heroin or cocaine, players will be banned for two years. Positive for other stimulants, athletes will receive a suspension of 25 games for the first violation, 55 games for the second time and at least 48 months for the third.

Although he did not check the players’ use of marijuana, Chairman Adam Silver stated that he did not encourage the players to use the drug during the season. He is concerned about the impact of cannabis on children as well as the mental health of athletes.

According to NBC’s Tom Haberstroth, many NBA athletes have used marijuana for both psychological as well as medical purposes. Many former players have also made this public, some even opened companies specializing in selling cannabis and became rich.