The NBA has always had a complicated relationship with marijuana. Many of its players have openly discussed their use of marijuana, leading to widespread speculation about the league's policy on the substance. So, what is the official stance of the NBA on marijuana? Is it allowed, or is it prohibited?
This article will explore the legalities of marijuana use in the NBA, and what the implications of using the substance are for players. We will also look at some of the more famous players who have openly discussed their marijuana use, and what that has meant for their careers.
The current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) makes it clear that marijuana use is prohibited for NBA players. The CBA states that any player who tests positive for marijuana will face a mandatory fine and suspension. The CBA also states that the NBA will conduct random drug tests of players throughout the season, and any player who tests positive will be subject to disciplinary action.
So, essentially, marijuana is still forbidden as per the CBA but there is no way to get caught using it. NBA players can, in fact, smoke weed, but there are a few things to consider before doing so.
First, players must be aware of the consequences of getting caught. As mentioned, any player who tests positive for marijuana will face a fine and suspension. This could be detrimental to a player's career and could affect their team's performance.
Second, players must be aware of the legal implications of using marijuana in their respective states. While some states have legal recreational marijuana use, others have not. It is important for players to understand the laws of the state they are playing in, and to abide by them.
Third, players must also be aware of how their use of marijuana could be perceived by the public. While some players, such as "Uncle Cliffy" unapologetically smoked weed his entire career and never faced any disciplinary action, not all players are so lucky. The NBA is a highly competitive league, and players must be aware that their use of marijuana could be perceived negatively by fans, media, and other players.
Marijuana and basketball players have certainly been associated with each other for years. From players like Allen Iverson and Stephen Jackson, to current stars like Kevin Durant and J.R. Smith, it is clear that marijuana use has been a part of the NBA for a long time. However, that does not necessarily mean that it is legal for players to use the substance.
Smoking weed is legal in the NBA. Rather, it is not illegal, necessarily. The CBA does not explicitly forbid marijuana use, and the league does not randomly test players for the substance. However, players can still be screened for probable cause. If a player is suspected of using marijuana, they will be subject to a drug test.
In addition, players must also be aware of the league's policy on recreational drug use. The NBA has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to recreational drugs, and any player found to be in violation of this policy will face disciplinary action.
Despite the legalities of marijuana use in the NBA, there is no denying that many players in the league use the substance. Former NBA players such as J.R. Smith, Al Harrington and Iman Shumpert all believe that the majority of the league smokes weed. Additionally, there have been reports from league sources that players in the Orlando bubble were seen smoking marijuana.
“But when you go to the bubble basketball, some of them dudes was — granted, it was like practice games and some of 'em really can't play that well,” said former NBA player Stephen Jackson. “But you can tell, like, some of 'em was high.”
League sources: Continuing a theme from the Orlando bubble, NBA players once again will not be randomly tested for marijuana during the 2022-23 season. This means that players are essentially free to use the substance without fear of getting caught. However, it is still important for players to understand the legal implications of their actions and to abide by the league's zero-tolerance policy on recreational drugs.
High Culture: 10 Famous Basketball Players Who Smoke Weed · Kevin Durant · Al Harrington · Allen Iverson · Chris Webber · Matt Barnes · Stephen Jackson · J.R. Smith · Iman Shumpert · Lamar Odom · Damian Lillard
It is clear that marijuana use is not only accepted, but also embraced by many players in the NBA. However, it is important to remember that the league does have rules and regulations in place for the use of the substance. Players must be aware of the potential consequences of their actions, and must take steps to ensure that they are abiding by the law.
Finally, players must also be mindful of how their marijuana use could be perceived by the public. They get fired from their house-cleaning jobs (never smoke weed in an area that isn't legal) and can't even go home to smoke it. You wanna guess which current NBA legend owns that abode?
