The NBA has already taken the first step: marijuana is not among the substances that are controlled in the anti-doping tests carried out in the Orlando “bubble” – where players are confined to avoid coronavirus infections -, in the prelude to the season that will begin in December. At the Disney property where the players are staying, the League ruled that mandatory medical tests do not include recreational drugs, which do not affect athletic performance.
According to the specialized site RealGM, this measure could be extended and the League would eliminate marijuana from the list of prohibited drugs. Today, the NBA is the only major league in the country that still punishes cannabis use.
“I think it’s going to be legal after the next deal. Not testing for marijuana was a concession made to the players for having them locked in the ‘bubble,” explained Bill Simmons, a journalist for The Ringer, in a podcast with Zach. Lowe, his colleague from ESPN.
As many North American states have relaxed the prohibition on cannabis – when they have not decriminalized or directly legalized it – several sports leagues have adapted their regulations to the new situation, taking into account that the recreational use of cannabis does not generate sporting advantages. This is what Major League Baseball and the American Football NFL did this year, removing marijuana from the list of prohibited substances and now treat any problem related to cannabis use in the same way that alcohol disorders are treated. The NBA punished marijuana doping with financial fines that, after the third positive control, became a five-game suspension. This measure was suspended in the bubble by an agreement between the NBA itself and the Players Association, given the possibility that some athletes had relaxed in the use of marijuana during the period without competition (more than 40 were concerned about it) , when it was not yet known if the League would resume. “If you’re going to have players live in the Disneyworld bubble for three months and for half the money, you have to make some compromises,” Lowe said. At the end of February Kevin Durant, twice champion and once MVP (most valuable player in the league) of the finals, spoke out in favor of the acceptance of cannabis. “Everybody on my team drinks coffee regularly, or goes out for wine after games. For me, marijuana should be at that level,” the Brooklyn Nets forward said on former players Matt Barnes and Stephen’s podcast. Jackson, who had problems during their career precisely because of marijuana use.
In 2018, former player Kenyon Martin, chosen in the first position of the 2000 draft, said he was convinced that at least “85% of the players” smoked marijuana during the time he played in the NBA.
It is still unknown whether during the next season, which will begin in December, the teams will have to be locked up again or not as at Disneyworld, in Orlando.
Many were struck by the level of the equipment during the bubble. Considering that they came from a long stop and that their members had to change their habits (and distractions), some believed that smoking marijuana was beneficial to improve their recovery and mental well-being.
Several studies indicate that marijuana use among NBA players is between 50 and 85%. In other words, more than half of the players smoke cannabis.
