NBA's Secret Weed Loophole: How Players Like Shawn Kemp Beat the System

Once known for its strict drug policies, the NBA has taken a notable turn in its approach to cannabis. What was once grounds for fines, suspensions, and bans has evolved into acceptance, as the league officially removed marijuana from its list of prohibited substances in 2021. For players like Shawn Kemp, who navigated the league's previous harsh stance, this change is a significant milestone that mirrors broader cultural trends surrounding cannabis.

The NBA first implemented a formal anti-drug policy in 1983, initially targeting substances like cocaine and performance enhancers. The tragic death of Boston Celtics draftee Len Bias in 1986 from a cocaine overdose accelerated the league's focus on drug prevention, eventually leading to mandatory testing for all players. However, marijuana testing wasn’t introduced until after the 1998-99 lockout season.

During Kemp’s early career, the NBA wasn’t testing for cannabis, and even when testing began, players like Kemp found ways to avoid consequences. "You only had to pass the test once a year," Kemp revealed, highlighting how players who used cannabis could still stay within the league’s guidelines if they managed to pass that single test during training camp.

Cannabis has long been a go-to for many athletes to manage the physical and mental stress of the game. With the intense pressure to perform, countless hours of training, and physical toll of professional basketball, players often sought relief. While many turned to prescription medications, others, like Kemp, preferred cannabis as a natural alternative.

For players unwilling to engage in harsher drugs like opioids, cannabis provided a safer option to deal with pain, anxiety, and sleepless nights. Yet, despite its benefits, cannabis was considered an illicit substance, with penalties for those who tested positive. Kemp himself faced drug possession charges post-retirement in 2005 and 2006, highlighting how cannabis use remained stigmatized even after leaving the court.

In 2021, the NBA announced that it would stop random testing for marijuana, effectively signaling a new chapter in its drug policy. The shift reflects a growing cultural acceptance of cannabis not just in sports, but across the United States. With cannabis legalization expanding across various states, professional sports leagues like the NBA have had to rethink their stance.

This change in policy aligns with trends in other major sports leagues. For example, the MLB removed marijuana from its list of banned substances in 2019, and the NFL has significantly reduced the penalties for positive marijuana tests, especially during the offseason. These changes not only recognize the shifting public perception of cannabis but also highlight its potential benefits for athlete wellness.

With the removal of marijuana testing, athletes now have more freedom to use cannabis to manage their health, and many are exploring its benefits for pain management and recovery. Cannabis has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and can be effective in reducing chronic pain without the risks of addiction or overdose associated with opioids.

The league’s new policy also opens the door to more honest conversations about mental health. Players often turn to cannabis to relieve anxiety and stress, conditions that are pervasive in the high-pressure world of professional sports. By allowing cannabis use without the fear of punishment, the NBA is creating space for athletes to take control of their mental and physical well-being in ways that align with their personal preferences.

For players like Shawn Kemp, who now owns a cannabis dispensary in Seattle, the NBA’s relaxed stance on marijuana feels long overdue. Kemp, a six-time All-Star, spent years navigating a league where cannabis use was hidden and often punished. Today, he can openly embrace cannabis as part of his post-career identity, alongside many other former athletes who have ventured into the industry.

The NBA’s evolving drug policy is not just about removing marijuana from the banned list—it’s part of a larger cultural shift. As cannabis continues to be legalized across the country, and as more research underscores its medical benefits, professional sports are beginning to see the substance as a viable tool for athlete health and wellness.

In a high-stakes, physically demanding environment like the NBA, this change could reshape how players approach their careers and post-playing lives.

Should cannabis be a standard option for athletes to manage stress and pain?