Marijuana Ban Ending for Minor League Baseball Players

Cannabis may soon be removed from the list of restricted substances for minor league baseball players if a negotiation by the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) comes to fruition. Currently, minor league players have a punishment ranging from 25 games to a lifetime ban if they test positive for marijuana. But if the MLBPA’s wish comes true, minor leaguers will not be punished by baseball at all for marijuana use.

Major league baseball players are not tested for marijuana, Newsweek reported.

“It’s certainly not a performance-enhancing drug,” said one insider. “One of the things I’ve been talking more about in the past several years is mental wellness of our players. Some guys are smoking pot in the same way some guys would take a drink. Just using it to calm down a little bit or using it to relax, no big deal. It’s no issue, which is why I think it’s been legalized in a lot of states.”

The league is expected to pass the new drug rule soon. Other professional sports leagues are also (slowly) beginning to allow marijuana use.