Are MLB players permitted to smoke weed? Examining league's drug policy in the wake of Brewers' Jon Singleton's attempted comeback
Are MLB players permitted to smoke weed? The drug has been controversial since it gained popularity, with many athletes losing time or even full careers due to marijuana.
However, recently, the sports world has become laxer with weed. Many athletes are permitted to smoke and most leagues don't even test for it anymore.
MLB followed suit with that in 2019. From the 2020 season onward, the answer to the question of whether MLB players are permitted to smoke weed is a resounding yes.
The league said in a press release via Marijuana Moment after the 2019 season:
“Going forward, marijuana-related conduct will be treated the same as alcohol-related conduct under the Parties’ Joint Treatment Program for Alcohol-Related and Off-Field Violent Conduct, which provides for mandatory evaluation, voluntary treatment, and the possibility of discipline by a Player’s Club or the Commissioner’s Office in response to certain conduct involving Natural Cannabinoids."
However, they did add synthetic cannabinoids, cocaine, and opioids, including fentanyl, to the list of prohibited drugs that they would test for. As it stands, though, MLB players are permitted to smoke weed if they so choose.
However, there will be penalties assigned if they show up to the ballpark under the influence. They can smoke and do whatever with weed in their own time, but it shouldn't interfere with anything baseball-related.
Players also cannot be sponsored by weed companies.
Are MLB players permitted to smoke weed? Jon Singleton is trying a comeback eight years after initial bans
This brings up an interesting player: Jon Singleton, who last played with the Houston Astros.
The former first baseman hasn't played since 2015 thanks to weed-related bans from the game but is on the Milwaukee Brewers' Spring Training roster.
The Brewers' first baseman is attempting a comeback eight years later now that weed doesn't pose a problem with Major League Baseball. It seems as if he's doing a good job, even if a roster spot is a long shot.
Singleton, in limited action, is hitting .417 in spring through seven games. He has an on-base percentage of .500 and a slugging percentage of the same. He's hitting well, which is highly impressive after such a long time off.