“That?s Gotta Be April Fools?: NBA?s Big Update on Anti-Dr*g Testing Program Has Fans in Shambles

Drug testing programs have remained a strict policy in just about every sports field to ensure a fair game for the athletes. However, the rules do not always stay the same. The National Basketball Association recently agreed on a new deal with the NBPA that will remain effective for a certain period of time. Interestingly, the contract included one particular clause that didn’t sit well with NBA fans, prompting them to call out the basketball association for the surprising change.

The association has time and again tested their players to detect any kind of drug use but probably not as much as they did Ja Morant in a single season. The Memphis Grizzlies star recently slammed NBA for subjecting him to a total of seven drug tests since the season began.

NBA and NBPA sets a new directive

NBA Insider Shams Charania recently announced that the NBA and NBPA have reached a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. As per sources, the seven-year deal contained number of changes, including a particular selection criterion. The agreement states that players will now have to play a minimum of 65 games to be considered for individual awards in the league.

However, that is not the new change that left fans fuming. In a follow-up tweet, Charania informed that NBA athletes are now free to use marijuana. Prohibition of Cannabis was implemented during the 2019-20 season but the clause has been removed under the new directive.

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Additionally, Charania also revealed that the league will now include prize money for the winning team of the In-Season Tournament. The rule will be effective from the 2023-24 season.

Fans disagree with the new clause in CBA

Shortly after the news of the CBA went online, Twitterati didn’t long to express their displeasure. Based on their comments, fans did not agree with the exclusion of marijuana from the anti-drug testing program. A social media user seemingly found it hard to believe the news as his comment read, “That?s gotta be April Fools right.”

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Another fan wrote, “Is this supposed to be a good thing, it?s still drugs, and still bad for your health.”

Take a look at a few more of the comments.

https://twitter.com/nycjakee/status/1642066276947296256?s=20

https://twitter.com/FlukaMagic/status/1642066579193044992?s=20

Fans were also worried that the new changes will directly affect the players’ on-court performances, especially during crucial circumstances.

What do you think about the NBA’s decision to remove marijuana from the drug test program? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.