MLB Removes Cannabis from Banned Drug List

Major League Baseball (MLB) was one of the few major sporting leagues that did not test its players for recreational drugs. They do have an official list of banned substances but they only actually tested their players for performance-enhancing drugs. Players were not forced to take random drug tests as players in other American sporting leagues are.

That is all going to change this year when they begin to test their players for cocaine and opiates. However, the league says that cannabis will be removed from their list of banned drugs and will be considered a recreational substance like alcohol. One ironic twist is that synthetic cannabis compounds will be screened for and treated as an abusive substance.

Union head Tony Clark says that treatment plans will be available for players who are found to be on hard drugs, and they will not face any further penalties if they comply with the treatment plan.

This policy will also apply to the minor league program, which actually has tested players for cannabis to determine eligibility.