NBA suspends random marijuana testing for 2020-21 season

The NBA won't conduct random marijuana tests of players throughout the 2020-21 season, league spokesman Mike Bass confirmed in a statement obtained by The New York Times' Marc Stein.

Bass cited unusual circumstances precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic in explaining the agreement reached by the league and the National Basketball Players Association. Testing for the drug in cases of cause will continue because marijuana is a banned substance under the current collective bargaining agreement, according to Stein.

The league intends to focus its random testing efforts on uncovering the use of "performance-enhancing products and drugs of abuse" rather than marijuana, Bass said.

Players can be tested up to four times in a typical season. The NBA previously suspended testing for drugs, including marijuana, during its initial pandemic-induced hiatus in March.