Kevin Durant's Bold Move: Advocating for NBA to Lift Ban on Marijuana after Prior Use

Kevin Durant, aged 34, revealed during CNBC x Boardroom's Game Plan Summit on Tuesday, July 25, that he contacted the NBA commissioner and urged him to remove marijuana from the list of prohibited substances. Durant believed that the perception of marijuana had changed globally and that its stigma was no longer as negative as before.

The Phoenix Suns player insisted: “It doesn’t affect you in any negative way.”

In fact, before meeting with NBA commissioner Adam Silver in person, Durant took a puff of cannabis.

"Well, as soon as I walked in, he caught a whiff of it, so I didn't need to say much," Durant reminisced. "He immediately grasped the direction it was heading."

He contended, "I mean, it's the NBA, my friend. In all honesty, everyone indulges in it. It's practically like wine by now."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver ETIENNE LAURENT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Durant clarified that after their discussion, Silver, who is 61 years old, agreed to revoke the ban. This decision is outlined in the seven-year collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and the players union that commenced on July 1.

In 2021, the NBA started to relax its regulations concerning marijuana usage among players, bringing an end to random weed testing and shifting focus towards performance-enhancing drugs, as reported by USA Today. Athletes are still subject to testing for substances such as cocaine and methamphetamine, which are classified as "drugs of abuse."

Previously, NBA players who broke the league's marijuana policy faced both financial and professional consequences. For their initial offense, athletes were required to undergo the league's treatment and counseling program. A second positive test resulted in a $25,000 fine, while a third violation led to a five-game suspension without pay.

Meanwhile, Durant has long advocated for reducing the stigma surrounding marijuana usage. In 2021, he partnered with WeedMaps, an e-commerce platform that connects buyers with dispensaries, by becoming an investor.

Durant expressed his belief that it is long overdue to tackle the persistent stigmas surrounding cannabis, both in the realm of sports and on a global scale. In an interview with ESPN in August 2021, he stated that this collaboration would aid in furthering discussions and normalization, while also facilitating the creation of content, organizing events, and much more via our Boardroom media network. He emphasized that this signifies just the commencement of our efforts.