The NBA is reportedly will no longer test for marijuana, according to an informal deal between the league and the National Basketball Players Association.
The NBA has not tested players for marijuana since the 2019/20 season. It is no longer in the rules despite being part of the list of prohibited substances, with the new collective agreement.
According to reports, starting next season there will be no prohibition against marijuana during the season.
Although some players made use of it during the offseason, they lobbied, alongside the NBPA (NBA Players Association) to have it removed from the list.
On the other hand, tests continue for drugs of abuse and substances that enhance performance, the famous anti-doping.
The use of cannabis recreationally was already quite common among gamers. But the drug is becoming increasingly legalised in the United States. Recently, some athletes like Kevin Durant asked for it to be banned.
“For me, marijuana clears the brain of distractions a little bit. So calm you down. It’s like having a glass of wine,” Durant said.
However, Durant admitted that he started smoking the substance at the age of 22. He is not keen to hide his personal preference although the drug was banned by the NBA.
Moreover, the league hasn’t conducted drug tests on players in three seasons. That’s because, since the Sidney “bubble” in 2019, policies have changed regarding marijuana.
JR Smith on the other hand, he revealed last season that players used to smoke marijuana during the Bubble in Orlando after the COVID-19 outbreak.
“We was blowing it down in there. You know what’s funny, though, is that that was the only way you could really function in that joint.” JR Smith said.
“It was cool, I’m glad it happened because it finally broke that barrier and that stigma that you couldn’t play and all of this. It was a drug, it was this and that.” he added.
