Cannabis, also known as marijuana, has been legalized in many states across the US in recent years. But it’s still prohibited by the NBA (National Basketball Association). It has led to confusion among fans and players alike, particularly as athletes continue to push back against the league’s stance on cannabis use. During the COVID season, NBA suspended random testing for marijuana. The suspension was extended through the 2021-2022 season last year because of difficulties with implementing a more comprehensive drug testing program. As Cannabis continues to be legalized state-by-state, will this affect weed prohibition in the NBA?
Why Do Players Use Marijuana?
Players in the NBA have turned to marijuana for a variety of reasons. There are different strains of marijuana, each with its benefits. Some strains cater to players that want a more energizing effect, those who need something to help them sleep, or those who need relief from pain. It has also been used as an alternative for players addicted to opioids or other narcotics because it does not cause withdrawal symptoms when they stop using the drug. For example, the Space Cake strain is reported to be preferred by some players because of its mellow effects. Cannabis is also said to improve focus and creativity, which could be helpful for skills such as dribbling or passing.
So, weed and basketball go together like peanut butter and jelly. Wrong! Athletes have not been allowed to partake in any pot since the NBA instituted a ban on substance abuse in 1983. But now, after 40 years without bud, the league is finally reconsidering that decision-though. No one knows if that means they’ll overturn the ban or make changes so athletes can get high without breaking any rules.
What is NBA?
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is an American professional basketball league. It is one of the four major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada. It is widely considered the world’s premier men’s professional basketball league. For this reason, cannabis use for medical purposes by players is not allowed and must stay hidden from public view. However, medical marijuana has been legal in California since 1996, and adults can legally purchase recreational marijuana as well. There are also legal dispensaries where athletes can obtain their medicine without fear of repercussions from the league office if they are caught.
The Laws of Prohibiting Athletes from Using Cannabis
The NBA’s substance abuse policy does not distinguish between marijuana, which is legal in many states and will be available for recreational use in Canada in October, and other drugs. The league considers all the performance-enhancing substances and uses WADA‘s banned list to define its prohibited substances. For example, WADA’s list includes Cannabis under its stimulants category. If it didn’t, players could face two standards: one for off-court behaviour and another for on-court play.
Commissioner Adam Silver has said he’s open to revisiting this issue, but several issues need to be ironed out before any change occurs. First, he noted that the problem had been discussed with doctors dealing with athletes in other sports, who told him they’d found no evidence that even heavy marijuana use leads to decreased physical ability or stamina. And then there’s the issue of fairness. Would an athlete have to be tested for THC and cannabinoids during the season? During practice? What about games in places where pot is legal?
Benefits of Players Using Marijuana in Sports
Smoking weed and playing basketball has been a controversial topic for many years. Some people believe that Cannabis can positively affect an athlete’s performance, while others think it can be detrimental. However, some key benefits have been identified by those favouring allowing players to use Cannabis. These benefits include:
Improved Focus
Many sports require an intense level of focus and attention to detail. For example, basketball requires players to follow their opponents’ every move and anticipate what they will do next. Many athletes who smoke marijuana report improved focus when doing activities such as these because THC slows down your brain’s dopamine production and increases your body’s serotonin levels.
Increased Pain Tolerance
Because Cannabis is known for relieving pain, athletes who smoke marijuana may experience less pain than those who don’t when playing their sport. It also provides more motivation to play through injury or other discomfort.
Promotes Better Sleep Quality
Cannabis contains properties that promote relaxation and sleep quality. In addition, it can help reduce anxiety, which often interferes with sleep quality. However, while there are some benefits associated with the use of Cannabis, there are still numerous unknowns about its impact on an athlete’s performance. For this reason, many professional leagues worldwide have banned it completely or set limits to how much a player can consume before and during games.
Does the NBA Test for Weed?
Yes! Urine tests are insufficient as they only measure THC-COOH (a metabolite), which can stay in the system weeks after use. Instead, blood tests are required because they detect 11-nor-9-carboxy delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is a more accurate indicator of current THC usage and stays in the system much less than THC-COOH. If an athlete’s test comes back positive for any amount of marijuana metabolites during their period of eligibility, they will be suspended from play until completing substance abuse treatment.
Conclusion
Though Cannabis is legal in many states, the NBA has a strict policy against its use. The main reason is that the league wants to protect its players from potential addiction and health risks. Additionally, the NBA doesn’t want to be associated with a substance that is still illegal in many parts of the country. Though some players have lobbied for changes to the policy, it doesn’t seem likely that the league will budge any time soon.
