List of Baseball Players Who Smoke Weed

• MLB policy transformed completely in 2019 – Cannabis was removed from the banned substance list on December 12, 2019, treating natural cannabinoids similarly to alcohol for responsible adult use, though players can still face discipline for impairment and synthetic cannabinoids remain prohibited
• Minor league players faced harsh penalties before reform – In 2015, 42 of 108 minor league suspensions were for “drugs of abuse” (primarily marijuana), with players facing 50-game and 100-game suspensions that could derail careers
• Legendary players pioneered open cannabis use – From Dock Ellis’s famous no-hitter (while on LSD, though he was open about cannabis use) to Bill “Spaceman” Lee’s 1970s advocacy, cannabis has been part of baseball culture for decades despite prohibition
• Modern players choose cannabis for recovery – With 54% of U.S. adults reporting they drink alcohol (at a record low), many players prefer cannabis for post-game recovery without hangovers or the risks associated with traditional pain medications
• Cannabis serves as harm reduction – Players like Joel Zumaya switched from taking six daily Advil to vaporized cannabis, avoiding serious health risks while managing the physical demands of professional baseball
• Retired players are entering the cannabis business – David Ortiz’s “Papi Cannabis” represents the first wave of MLB celebrity cannabis entrepreneurship, leveraging baseball heritage to provide cultural legitimacy to cannabis products

• The relationship between baseball and cannabis reflects the sport’s unique pressures and evolving cultural norms.
• Constant travel, performance demands, and isolation from typical social supports create a high-stress environment where some players seek relief.
• Beyond performance-enhancing drugs, many former players describe cannabis use as recreational or for stress relief rather than competitive advantage.
• Evidence around pain and anxiety management aligns with this therapeutic framing; see the National Academies review.
• The counterculture of the 1960s–1970s influenced clubhouses, with experimentation—including cannabis—mirroring broader American society.
• Over time, the conversation has shifted from secrecy to more open dialogue, helping contextualize players associated with cannabis today.

Dock Ellis is renowned for pitching a no-hitter while under the influence of LSD, yet he was open about using cannabis throughout his MLB career. His candid advocacy helped future conversations around social justice and drug policy in baseball.

• No-hitter on LSD, not cannabis: His infamous 1970 game was played on LSD rather than marijuana.
• Candid cannabis use: Ellis discussed his marijuana use openly during his career and later life.
• Advocacy for reform: Visits to Western Penitentiary fueled his commitment to social justice and substance abuse counseling.
• Trailblazer in dialogue: His openness in the 1970s paved the way for honest discussions about drugs in sports.
• Hall of Fame legacy: Baseball’s Hall of Fame acknowledges both his playing accomplishments and advocacy contributions.

Bill Lee, Boston Red Sox pitcher, openly consumed cannabis in the 1970s, becoming a key figure in shifting the narrative around marijuana in professional sports. His public stance also addressed broader drug policy and social justice issues.

• Nickname origin: “Spaceman” nickname partly inspired by his cannabis use and counterculture lifestyle.
• Era pioneer: Lee normalized marijuana conversations during a time of strict prohibition.
• Unapologetic throughout career: He frequently spoke about his cannabis use in media and public forums.
• Advocated beyond baseball: His efforts extended to drug policy reform and social justice topics.
• Challenged athletic stigma: Helped reduce the negative perceptions of cannabis among athletes in a conservative era.

Bernie Carbo hit a legendary World Series pinch-hit home run while under the influence, and his honesty revealed the prevalence of substance use among players of his time. Carbo’s admissions offered a new perspective on performance and recovery in baseball.

• Historic home run: The famous 1975 World Series moment happened while Carbo was high.
• Candid substance use: He admitted that cannabis, alcohol, and amphetamines were common among players in the 1970s.
• Challenged performance myths: His success under the influence questioned assumptions about impairment in sports.
• Openness about addiction: Carbo has discussed his struggles with addiction later in life.
• Advanced support dialogue: Contributed to important conversations about substance abuse and recovery in professional sports.

Joel Zumaya, former Detroit Tigers pitcher, switched from daily heavy Advil use to vaporized cannabis to manage pain and sleep better during his career. His story highlights athletes’ search for safer recovery solutions.

• Medical marijuana admission: Zumaya openly stated he used vaporized cannabis for relief.
• Reduced pharmaceutical risks: He avoided gastrointestinal bleeding and kidney injuries associated with NSAIDs.
• Recovery focus: Cannabis helped Zumaya manage both pain and sleep challenges.
• Reflects athlete trends: His shift mirrors a broader move by athletes away from risky pain medications.
• Normalized conversation: Publicly discussing his cannabis use helped legitimize it as a recovery tool in sports.

Tim Lincecum, two-time Cy Young Award winner, was cited for marijuana possession in 2009 but continued performing at an elite level with little interruption. His experience exemplifies changing perceptions and policies around cannabis in MLB.

• Possession citation: He was caught with about 3.3 grams of marijuana and paid a fine.
• Counterculture appeal: Lincecum’s cannabis association resonated with fans, especially in San Francisco.
• No performance decline: His field performance remained unaffected after the incident.
• Highlighted legal complexity: The citation occurred during a transitional period for California marijuana laws.
• Challenged old narratives: His story questioned traditional ideas about cannabis and athlete capability.

Jeremy Jeffress endured multiple suspensions for marijuana use in the minors but went on to become an MLB All-Star. His journey underscores failures of past policies and the therapeutic role of cannabis for health conditions.

• Suspended twice: Jeffress received a 50-game suspension in 2007 and a 100-game suspension in 2009.
• MLB career success: Despite penalties, he achieved an 11-year career and was named an All-Star in 2018.
• Medical need: Jeffress has an epilepsy diagnosis and says cannabis helped manage his symptoms.
• Harsh past policies: His case illustrates the punitive nature of old MLB drug rules.
• Policy change significance: His career recovery demonstrates that strict suspensions were disproportionate and counterproductive.

• In a seismic policy shift, Major League Baseball officially removed natural cannabinoids from its banned substance list on December 12, 2019. 
• This change came after decades of punitive testing and was directly influenced by the opioid overdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs earlier that year. 
• Natural cannabinoids are now treated similarly to alcohol—MLB players are not tested for them, though players can still be disciplined for impairment at work or unlawful conduct, and synthetic cannabinoids remain prohibited. 
• The policy represents a fundamental shift in how professional sports view cannabis, acknowledging its relative safety compared to opioids and other substances. 
• This landmark decision positioned MLB as a leader among major professional sports leagues in cannabis policy reform.

• Before the policy change, minor league players faced escalating suspensions: 50 games for a second violation and 100 games for a third violation. 
• In 2015, 42 of 108 minor league suspensions were for “drugs of abuse” (primarily marijuana), representing nearly 40% of all suspensions that year. 
• This created a disparity: 40-man roster players were not routinely tested for marijuana under the MLB Joint Drug Program, while minor leaguers faced escalating suspensions for the same behavior. 
• The double standard meant promising careers could be derailed in the minor leagues for cannabis use that would be completely ignored at the major league level. 
• This inequity became one of the driving forces behind the eventual policy reform in 2019.

• As reported by The Athletic, some club officials acknowledged promoting certain players to the 40-man roster, which moved them out of the minor-league testing program—a practice nicknamed “smoke your way to the 40-man.” 
• This organizational complicity revealed the hypocrisy of MLB’s drug policy and demonstrated that teams recognized cannabis as less harmful than the penalties suggested.
• Front offices were willing to use roster manipulation to protect valuable prospects from marijuana suspensions they viewed as unjust.
• The practice highlighted how even team management didn’t believe in the legitimacy of the cannabis testing regime.
• This widespread tactical maneuvering underscored the disconnect between official policy and actual industry attitudes toward marijuana use.

The traditional post-game beer cooler now sits largely untouched in MLB clubhouses, replaced by wellness-focused alternatives. One National League reliever stated: “Once my weed consumption went up, my ERA went down.” This shift reflects broader American trends where 54% of U.S. adults report they drink alcohol (at a record low), and players seek recovery without hangover effects. 

Cannabis offers physical recovery benefits without the dehydration, sleep disruption, and next-day impairment associated with alcohol consumption. Many players view marijuana as a performance-enhancing recovery tool rather than merely recreational. This generational shift represents a fundamental change in baseball clubhouse culture, moving from alcohol-centered social bonding to individualized wellness approaches.

Red Sox legend David Ortiz entered the cannabis market with his “Papi Cannabis” brand and “Sweet Sluggers” blunts, representing the first wave of MLB celebrity cannabis entrepreneurship. His brand launched in Massachusetts in 2022, with distribution centered on the Massachusetts market. 

Ortiz’s entry into the cannabis industry leverages his baseball heritage to provide cultural legitimacy to cannabis products in a state where he remains a beloved sports icon. His brand focuses on quality products that appeal to both baseball fans and cannabis consumers. This demonstrates how retired players are using their fame to normalize cannabis in mainstream sports culture and build successful business ventures in the growing legal cannabis market.

Unlike previous eras where players frequented bars and clubs, modern stars avoid public intoxication due to camera phones and social media scrutiny. Cannabis offers private decompression that doesn’t generate embarrassing viral content, making it more appealing than public bar culture for today’s athletes. 

Players are acutely aware that any public behavior can be instantly documented and shared globally, creating strong incentives for private relaxation methods. This technology-driven shift has made at-home cannabis consumption more attractive than traditional nightlife, where players risk reputation-damaging photos or videos. The privacy afforded by cannabis use allows athletes to decompress without the public relations risks associated with bar and club appearances.

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