Colorado & Washington legalize recreational weed use, what will the NFL, NBA & MLB do?

In a historic vote, Colorado and Washington voted to legalize Marijuana for recreational use. We know that ALLEGEDLY many NFL, NBA and MLB athletes partake in green therapy so of course the question is, how does this affect the leagues. Colorado is home to the NBA’s Nugget, the NFL’s Broncos and MLB’s Rockies while Washington has the NFL’s Seahawks and MLB’s Mariners.

Both the NFL and MLB have released statements that players will still be punished should they test positive for weed. The collective bargaining agreement specifically prohibits the use of it so no escape for the players. Much like certain performance enhancing substances are legal for regular people but not professional athletes. But you have to believe that if a player whose on a team in one of those states or lives there in the off season gets caught with a green thumb, a lawyer will somehow use the new law to argue a less sever punishment or some sort of challenge.

Despite Colorado passing Amendment 64 and Washington State passing a similar measure Tuesday, which will allow individuals over the age of 21 to legally possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants in their homes, marijuana will remain prohibited under all three leagues substance abuse policy… for now.

“The NFL’s policy is collectively bargained and will continue to apply in the same manner it has for decades. Marijuana remains prohibited under the NFL substance abuse program.”  said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello 

“Marijuana is a prohibited substance under our collectively bargained anti-drug program,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass

 ” Marijuana will remain under the list of prohibited “drugs of abuse” in the current policy. Having pot show up in a drug test will still mean a 50-game suspension on first offense. – MLB