NBA Marijuana Policy: The League Stops Testing Players for Weed

The NBA no longer tests players for marijuana: under the collective bargaining agreement that kicked in with the 2023-24 season, weed was dropped from the league's drug testing altogether. The same deal also lets players invest in NBA and WNBA franchises and promote or invest in cannabis and sports betting companies. It's part of the league's push to modernize and keep up with how society, sports and business are changing.

The NBA drops marijuana from drug testing

The biggest headline is the green light on weed. The NBA has decided to stop screening players for marijuana in its drug tests. That's a major shift in league policy: random tests for cannabis were suspended in 2021, and now marijuana screening is gone completely. The move reflects a more tolerant view of therapeutic cannabis use and gives players one more option for dealing with physical issues.

Several high-profile NBA players, like Kevin Durant, have been open about their cannabis use and have pushed to end the stigma around it. Basketball legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Allen Iverson have also backed the shift in thinking.

Players can now invest in teams and cannabis companies

Another big change: players can now invest in NBA or WNBA franchises. That opens up some interesting business opportunities, and players like LeBron James have talked about wanting to own a team, in his case in Las Vegas. Players will also be able to promote and/or invest in sports betting and cannabis companies, which seriously widens their investment options.

These changes to the NBA's collective bargaining agreement point to a more progressive, open stance on issues like cannabis use and player investment. The league is looking to modernize and keep pace with shifting trends in society and business.

All in all, the NBA is going through some major policy changes, from loosening up on weed to expanding players' investment options. These changes are set to make a real mark on the sports and business worlds, ushering the league into a new era of openness.

Working out high: what we know about weed and exercise

A lot of people are surprised to learn that weed and working out are a popular combo. The common assumption is that cannabis hurts athletic performance, but the evidence doesn't fully back that up. In fact, some research suggests smoking weed and exercising can go well together.

The stereotype of the lazy stoner glued to the couch is still around, but there's information pointing the other way, suggesting that for some people cannabis is energizing rather than a recipe for laziness.

A study published in Frontiers in Public Health in 2019 found something interesting about weed and exercise. The researchers focused on U.S. states where cannabis is legal and surveyed around 600 cannabis users. About 80% of them said they used cannabis shortly before or after working out.

More than half of those surveyed said using cannabis before exercise gave them extra motivation to train. Nearly 80% said it helped with recovery, and 70% said it made working out more enjoyable.

Cannabis may help reduce exercise-induced inflammation. People who avoid working out because of joint pain sometimes use cannabis to manage those symptoms, since many patients report it helps with pain.

Using cannabis before exercise can also help some people get mentally ready for a workout and boost how much they enjoy it. Around 70% of respondents said it also helped them bring a positive mindset to their training.

Smoking weed before a workout

If you're going to try weed before a workout for the first time, start with a tiny amount. Cannabis can raise your heart rate or cause tachycardia (a racing heart). If you have a heart condition, using cannabis can raise the risk of cardiac complications, since exercise already pushes your heart rate up on its own.

In the study mentioned above, 40% of respondents said their heart rate ran higher than usual when they exercised after using cannabis. You can pick lower-intensity workouts to avoid that.

Cannabis is already catching on with endurance athletes. Several endurance racers say they use weed about 30 minutes before a training run.

Smoking weed after a workout

The main reason to consider cannabis after exercise is recovery. There isn't much data on whether weed actually helps you bounce back after a workout, but what we do know is that cannabis appears to have anti-inflammatory effects. It may also help bring down the swelling that comes with inflammation. Some studies suggest using cannabis after training may help ease delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). That could let you get back to training sooner.

When it comes to cannabis and exercise, it's hard to draw firm conclusions. There just isn't enough research specifically on the combo yet. What we can say is that if you're going to use cannabis before or after a workout, oils and/or edibles are the better choice. Smoke from combustion can irritate your lungs and drag down your performance. Some also argue that smoking right after training is especially rough on the lungs, since you're breathing deep and fast.

No matter when or how you mix weed and exercise, make sure you drink plenty of water. THC is thought to make your glucose metabolism work harder, and cannabis is famous for dry mouth, so hydrate often.

What happens if you take CBD before a workout?

There's anecdotal evidence, plus limited scientific evidence, suggesting that taking CBD (cannabidiol) before exercise may have some benefits for certain people. Keep in mind that research on this is limited, and more studies are needed to fully understand how CBD affects athletic performance.

CBD is often used for its potential anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, which may help with muscle soreness and inflammation after intense exercise. Some people take CBD before training hoping it will cut down on muscle fatigue and speed up recovery.

On top of that, some CBD users report feeling more focused and relaxed before working out, which may help their performance in some cases. Keep in mind, though, that CBD can affect everyone differently, and some people may get unwanted side effects like drowsiness or dizziness.

Does weed actually improve athletic performance?

How weed affects athletic performance is a hot-button topic, and opinions are split. Some people swear that smoking before a workout makes it better, while others see it differently. Still, it's important to point out that cannabis can have negative effects on athletic performance and on your health in general.

Cannabis contains active compounds like THC that act on the central nervous system and have psychoactive effects. Those effects can include reduced motor coordination, a warped sense of time and slower reaction times, all of which could hurt your physical performance and your safety while you exercise.

Cannabis can also make you drowsy, unmotivated and less focused, which works against any sport that demands attention and energy.

On top of that, sports and anti-doping rules ban cannabis in most professional competitions and events. Athletes who test positive for marijuana can face sanctions and other consequences in their sport.