The MLB is trying to crack down on opiod use in the league and while negotiating changes to the drug agreement with the MLB Player’s Association, the MLB has agreed to stop testing the minor leagues for weed and remove marijuana from the list of banned susbstances.
Players on the 40-man roster are currently not tested for marijuana but all other minor leaguers are and several players have been suspended each year for marijuana use.
Under the current agreement, players are suspended for 25 games for their first offense, 50 games for second, 100 games for third, and then banned for life after a fourth positive test.
In the new agreement, players who test positive for opiods would be put into a treatment program rather than suspended.
No agreement has been finalized yet, but MLBPA chief Tony Clark said he is optimistic that an agreement can be in place before the end of the year.
