The National Football League (NFL) is again tweaking its stance on marijuana, loosening penalties and raising THC limits for player drug tests. The new rules, agreed upon with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), reflect the ongoing legalization movement across the United States.
Effective immediately, the allowable threshold for THC—marijuana’s psychoactive compound—will jump from 150 ng/ml to 350 ng/ml. Fines for violations are also being scaled back significantly.
What’s Changing in the New NFL Marijuana Policy?
The policy revision comes four years after the league stopped suspending players for marijuana use. Instead of harsh suspensions, the focus shifted to fines. Now, those fines are taking another hit, as the league adopts a more lenient approach.
- First positive test: $15,000 fine (previously a half-game pay).
- Second positive test: $20,000 fine.
- Third positive test: Players lose one full game’s pay.
- Fourth positive test: A two-game fine is applied.
Missed tests also get a softer penalty under the new system. Notably, positive test results will no longer be cumulative. Players will essentially get a clean slate each year.
Here’s how the changes compare at a glance:
| Offense | Old Penalty | New Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| First Positive | Half-game pay | $15,000 fine |
| Second Positive | Full-game pay | $20,000 fine |
| Third Positive | Suspensions/fines escalating | Loss of full-game pay |
| Fourth Positive | Higher suspensions | Two-game fine |
The NFLPA also announced that teams will no longer receive details about specific substances in positive tests. Instead, clubs will just be informed of a general violation.
How the NFL’s Policies Have Evolved
This is not the league’s first attempt at softening marijuana regulations. Back in 2020, the NFL reduced the testing window for THC metabolites. Players were only screened between the start of pre-season training camp and the first pre-season game. That rule also increased the THC threshold from 35 ng/ml to 150 ng/ml.
Now, the limit is more than doubling to 350 ng/ml—an adjustment that brings the NFL closer to the policies of other major sports leagues.
At the same time, the NFL has remained cautious in public discussions. In lawsuits, the league has repeatedly defended its marijuana policy, emphasizing potential risks like on-field injuries, poor performance, and alienation of fans.
A recent example involves a federal case in Colorado, where the Denver Broncos and NFL asked a court to dismiss a player’s lawsuit. The player alleged unfair penalties tied to synthetic cannabinoid use, despite a prescription. In response, the NFL stated its marijuana ban ensures safety and upholds performance standards.
Sports Leagues Nationwide Are Rewriting Cannabis Rules
The NFL isn’t alone. Sports leagues across the U.S. are rethinking their cannabis stances as marijuana legalization spreads.
- NBA: Last year, the NBA removed marijuana from its banned substances list. Players are now allowed to invest in and endorse cannabis brands under specific conditions.
- MLB: In 2022, Major League Baseball partnered with a leading CBD company, Charlotte’s Web, naming it the “Official CBD of MLB.” Teams like the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals have also inked deals with CBD businesses.
- NCAA: The National Collegiate Athletic Association voted to drop marijuana from its banned list for Division I athletes.
- UFC: The Ultimate Fighting Championship removed marijuana from its prohibited substances list last year. However, state athletic commissions, like California’s, still enforce THC limits for fighters.
State regulators are adjusting, too. Nevada officially shielded athletes from penalties for marijuana use, provided it aligns with state law.
A Global Debate: Should Marijuana Still Be Banned?
While U.S. leagues relax their marijuana policies, international sports authorities remain stuck in debate. Organizations like the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) continue to ban cannabis, arguing its use goes against the “spirit of sport.”
That stance drew massive backlash in 2021 when U.S. track star Sha’Carri Richardson was suspended from the Olympics after testing positive for THC. Richardson said she used cannabis to cope with her mother’s death. The incident sparked global calls for reform.
U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) CEO Travis Tygart called WADA’s position “disappointing,” saying marijuana lacks performance-enhancing benefits. “We’re not in the recreational drug policing business,” he stated. “We’re here to prevent fraud in sport.”
The White House even weighed in, with President Joe Biden signaling the need for updated policies. Despite pressure, WADA has yet to overhaul its marijuana rules.
NFL Balances Research with Policy
Interestingly, while the NFL maintains a conservative public stance, the league is actively funding research on cannabis. The NFL and its union have poured millions into exploring CBD’s potential as a safer alternative to opioids for pain relief and concussion recovery.
The NFL-NFLPA joint committee hosted educational forums on CBD as early as 2020. In June 2022, the league announced its commitment to further CBD studies, highlighting growing interest among players and stakeholders.
For now, the NFL’s latest policy revision reflects a careful balancing act: accommodating changing public attitudes while maintaining control over player conduct. As state laws continue to evolve, it’s clear the league’s stance will be closely watched—by players, fans, and lawmakers alike.
