New York, NY: Players participating in the 2020-2021 NBA season will not be drug tested for marijuana, according a statement issued by the league late last week.
A spokesperson for the National Basketball Association announced, “Due to the unusual circumstances in conjunction with the pandemic, we have agreed with the NBPA [player’s association] to suspend random testing for marijuana for the 2020-21 season and focus our random testing program on performance-enhancing products and drugs of abuse.”
The NBA will continue to test players “for cause” if they are suspected to be using cannabis.
Under league rules, players who test positive for marijuana three times within a season are suspended for five games.
In recent months, both the NFL and MLB have amended their drug testing policies so that use of the substance is no longer an offense resulting in a suspension.