By Timothy S. Donahue
Top Takeaways:
- Cannabis removed: The WNBA has eliminated marijuana from its list of prohibited substances under its new collective bargaining agreement.
- Investment rules established: Players hold passive ownership stakes in marijuana companies and actively endorse certain CBD products.
- Psychedelics added: DMT, psilocybin, psilocin and ibogaine were added to the league’s prohibited substances list.
The WNBA has removed marijuana from its list of prohibited substances under a new collective bargaining agreement, aligning the league’s policy more closely with those adopted by the NBA and several other major sports organizations in recent years.
The move is another sign of shifting attitudes toward cannabis across professional sports, as leagues increasingly distinguish marijuana from other controlled substances while maintaining restrictions on performance-enhancing drugs and substances viewed as posing greater safety concerns.
“When a major professional sports league removes cannabis from its banned substances list, it reflects a broader change in how the public views cannabis,” said Thomas Sheridan, CEO of Perfect Union, one of California’s fastest-growing vertically integrated cannabis companies. “Athletes are among the most visible and influential figures in our culture. Policies like this signal that cannabis is increasingly being approached through education, regulation, and personal responsibility rather than stigma.”
Under the league’s previous collective bargaining agreement, marijuana was classified as a “Drug of Abuse” and could trigger treatment referrals, fines, and suspensions for repeated violations. Under the new agreement, marijuana is no longer on the WNBA’s prohibited substances list.
The policy does not eliminate all oversight of cannabis use. Players may still be tested for marijuana under certain circumstances, including when they are enrolled in the league’s Drugs of Abuse Program, suspected of being under the influence during team or league activities, or determined to have a dependency or other marijuana-related issue requiring treatment.
Players who fail to comply with required treatment programs could face fines, and repeated violations may still result in escalating disciplinary measures, including suspensions. At the same time the WNBA loosened its marijuana policy, it also expanded restrictions on several psychedelic substances.
The new agreement specifically adds dimethyltryptamine (DMT), psilocybin, psilocin, and ibogaine to the list of prohibited substances. The league also prohibits synthetic cannabinoids, including delta-8 THC and related products.
The agreement also sets out detailed rules governing players’ financial interests in cannabis businesses. Players may hold direct or indirect ownership interests in marijuana companies, provided those investments remain passive and represent less than a 50% ownership stake. The businesses must also comply with applicable laws and regulations.
The policy separately permits players to invest in and promote certain hemp-derived CBD products, reflecting a distinction increasingly adopted by sports leagues and regulators between non-intoxicating cannabidiol products and marijuana.
However, if a CBD product is associated with a marijuana company, player endorsements require approval from both the league and the players association.
The changes reflect a broader trend across professional and amateur sports. The NBA removed marijuana from its banned substances list in 2023 as part of its collective bargaining agreement. The NFL has repeatedly relaxed its cannabis policies in recent years, lowering penalties and raising testing thresholds. In 2024, the NCAA voted to remove marijuana from its banned substances list for Division I athletes.
“The WNBA’s decision reflects a broader trend that has been developing across professional sports for several years,” said Angelica Sanchez, vice president of Government Affairs & Compliance at MWG Holdings. “Leagues and player associations are increasingly distinguishing regulated cannabis products from substances that raise significant performance, safety, or public health concerns.
“We’ve already seen organizations such as the NBA move away from cannabis prohibitions and adopt policies that emphasize education, wellness, and responsible use over punishment. The WNBA’s approach further demonstrates how cannabis is becoming integrated into mainstream institutional policies as public understanding, scientific research, and regulatory oversight continue to evolve.”
Other sports organizations have also revisited long-standing cannabis restrictions. The UFC formally removed marijuana from its modified list of prohibited substances, while the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has repeatedly criticized the World Anti-Doping Agency’s international cannabis bans.
The issue gained international attention after the suspension of U.S. sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, who was barred from competing in the 2021 Olympics for testing positive for THC.
The WNBA’s policy change comes amid evolving cannabis laws across the United States. While marijuana remains federally regulated, most states now permit medical cannabis use, and an increasing number allow adult-use sales.
For the nicotine and reduced-risk products industry, the development highlights the increasingly divergent regulatory treatment of various consumer products and substances.
