WNBA Removes Cannabis Ban, Adds Psychedelics to Prohibited List

The WNBA has eliminated cannabis from its banned substances list under a new collective bargaining agreement, while simultaneously prohibiting psychedelics including psilocybin, DMT, and ibogaine for the first time.

The policy shift, detailed in the league's latest CBA with the players' union, marks a significant departure from the WNBA's previous drug testing protocols. The agreement also establishes new parameters around how players can invest in cannabis and CBD businesses—a growing consideration as more athletes seek opportunities in the industry.

The numbers tell the story: professional sports leagues have increasingly moved away from cannabis prohibition as public opinion and state laws have shifted. The NBA softened its marijuana testing policies in 2020, and the NFL followed suit by removing suspensions for positive cannabis tests. The WNBA's move brings it in line with these broader trends in professional athletics.

The Psychedelics Question

But the addition of psychedelics to the banned list creates an interesting contrast. As Oregon, Colorado, and several municipalities have decriminalized or legalized psilocybin therapy, the WNBA has moved in the opposite direction. The league specifically named psilocybin, DMT, and ibogaine—substances that have gained attention for potential therapeutic applications but remain federally illegal.

The timing is notable. Several professional athletes, including former NFL players, have publicly advocated for psychedelic-assisted therapy as a treatment for traumatic brain injuries and mental health conditions. Yet the WNBA appears to be drawing a clear line between cannabis—now widely accepted—and emerging psychedelic treatments.

Investment Rules Take Shape

The new CBA also addresses a question that's become increasingly relevant: can players invest in cannabis companies? The agreement establishes specific guidelines, though the exact parameters weren't detailed in initial reports. This matters because several professional athletes have already launched or invested in cannabis brands, and the industry has actively courted sports figures as brand ambassadors and equity partners.

Market watchers note that athlete involvement has become a significant driver of legitimacy for cannabis companies. Former NBA players Al Harrington and Cliff Robinson built substantial cannabis businesses before Robinson's death in 2020. The WNBA's formalization of investment rules suggests the league is acknowledging this reality rather than trying to prevent it.

What's Next

The policy changes take effect immediately under the new CBA. Players will no longer face discipline for cannabis use, though it's unclear whether the league will maintain any testing protocols or simply remove cannabis from consideration entirely.

For the psychedelics ban, enforcement will likely mirror existing drug testing procedures. The question is whether the league will revisit this stance as more research emerges on therapeutic applications and as more jurisdictions move toward legalization or decriminalization.

The WNBA joins a growing list of professional sports organizations rethinking their relationship with cannabis. And like those other leagues, it's navigating the tension between emerging science, changing laws, and maintaining what it considers appropriate standards for professional athletes.

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This article is based on original reporting by hightimes.com.