Famous Baseball Players Who Smoke Weed: MLB & Cannabis History

Cannabis use in baseball is a decades-old phenomenon, rooted in the counterculture of the 1960s–1970s, not a recent trend. MLB policy shifted in 2019 to remove marijuana from the Drugs of Abuse list, emphasizing education and treatment, and not disciplining players solely for marijuana use Players have historically used cannabis for stress relief, recovery, and relaxation rather than performance enhancement. The current environment favors harm-reduction and medical guidance over punitive measures, with minor leaguers no longer tested for marijuana after 2019 Herb’s platform offers a safe, legal pathway for exploration, with its Dispensary Directory and Strain Guides helping readers make informed choices. The athlete’s journey with cannabis mirrors cultural change, moving from secrecy and stigma to openness, advocacy, and nuanced policy

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.

Tim Lincecum, the two-time Cy Young Award winner and cornerstone of the San Francisco Giants championship dynasty, is perhaps the most high-profile MLB player to have his cannabis use documented in a legal setting. In November 2009, Lincecum was cited in Washington state for marijuana possession following a traffic stop. He later pleaded guilty and paid a fine. Lincecums case is significant because it highlighted the patchwork of state laws and the personal nature of a players medical choices. His status as a beloved superstar—a quirky, long-haired pitcher who dominated with a unique delivery—helped to soften the publics perception of a professional athlete using cannabis. Lincecum won Cy Young Awards in 2008 and 2009 and was a member of San Franciscos 2010, 2012, and 2014 World Series championship teams. For fans in California and other legal states inspired by athletes like Lincecum who seek natural recovery options, Herbs Dispensary Directory provides a trusted resource to browse local retailers by city and find products that may support wellness and relaxation.

Dock Ellis of the Pittsburgh Pirates is a legendary figure in baseball lore, primarily for his LSD no-hitter claim that he threw a no-hitter on June 12, 1970, while under the influence of LSD. While the psychedelic element of his story is most famous, Ellis was also open about his cannabis use. In his later years, Ellis became a powerful advocate for drug education and harm reduction, working with players in the MLB substance abuse program. His self-assessment of his career was stark: I went from liquor to marijuana, from marijuana to cocaine, to amphetamines and everything else. I was on drugs every time I took to the field. His story is a cautionary tale of substance abuse but also a testament to the complex reality of the 1970s baseball clubhouse. Elliss legacy is not just about a single psychedelic no-hitter, but about the open culture of substance use in his era and his later efforts to help others avoid his path of dependency.

Bill Lee, the colorful Red Sox and Expos southpaw, became as famous for his iconoclastic views as for his crafty pitching. He quipped about sprinkling marijuana pancakes and often framed cannabis as part of a broader lifestyle that rejected baseball’s buttoned-up norms. His persona—free-spirited, witty, and defiantly unorthodox—made him a counterculture figure in a conservative era for the sport. Lee’s comments weren’t throwaway lines; they reflected a genuine challenge to baseball’s unwritten rules of conformity. He openly criticized management decisions, defended teammates, and embraced a holistic approach to recovery and stress that clashed with clubhouse expectations. Cannabis, in his telling, was one thread in a tapestry of self-determined health and performance rituals. Today, Lee’s legacy sits at the intersection of baseball folklore and evolving attitudes toward athlete wellness. His candid remarks anticipated a future in which players discuss mental health, pain management, and personal autonomy more openly. The “Spaceman” didn’t just pitch; he pushed boundaries that helped normalize conversations about cannabis in professional sports.

Fergie Jenkins—one of the most durable and dominant pitchers of his era—faced public scrutiny after a 1980 Toronto arrest that included marijuana among the substances found. The incident and its aftermath in the Canadian court briefly overshadowed an otherwise exemplary career that would later earn him a place in Cooperstown. The case underscored the tension between an athlete’s private choices and the public image demanded by teams and leagues. For Jenkins, a model of consistency with multiple 20-win seasons, the episode became a test of how baseball, media, and fans weighed personal behavior against on-field greatness. In the long view, Jenkins’ reputation endured—anchored by elite performance and community work—while the discourse around cannabis grew more nuanced. His story illustrates how even legends can become flashpoints in evolving debates over substance use, discipline, and redemption in professional sports.

Orlando Cepeda’s brilliant career—Rookie of the Year, MVP, and World Series champion—was complicated by a 1975 marijuana conviction related to importation and possession with intent. The legal case, widely covered at the time, placed a beloved star at the center of a changing national conversation about cannabis and criminal justice. Cepeda served time and later rebuilt his standing, culminating in eventual enshrinement in the Hall of Fame. His journey from courtroom to Cooperstown showed how athletes can face serious consequences and still reclaim respect through accountability, outreach, and sustained contributions to the game. For modern readers, Cepeda’s experience highlights the stark penalties of the 1970s era and how dramatically perceptions have shifted. What once defined an off-field scandal now contributes to a broader historical context, illustrating the evolving line between punishment, rehabilitation, and public acceptance of cannabis.

MLB’s drug policy long treated marijuana similarly to hard drugs and PEDs, mirroring older societal and medical attitudes. A major shift came in December 2019 when MLB and the MLBPA removed marijuana from the Drugs of Abuse list, emphasizing education and treatment. See the official MLB policy update. Under today’s Joint Drug Program, players aren’t disciplined solely for marijuana use; after December 2019, minor leaguers also stopped being tested for marijuana. Reform momentum was influenced by the U.S. opioid crisis, as the league and union looked for safer pain-management alternatives and embraced growing acceptance among medical staff.

High-CBD, low-THC options are often chosen for daytime use due to anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential without an intoxicating “high.” Indica-dominant strains are commonly used for nighttime recovery and sleep; terpenes like myrcene and caryophyllene are sought for muscle-relaxing and anti-inflammatory effects. Balanced hybrids can provide physical relief with a manageable mental state (e.g., Marathon OG for deeper recovery). For evidence on therapeutic effects (e.g., chronic pain), see the National Academies review.

Candid athletes (e.g., Dock Ellis) and policy shifts in leagues like MLB have helped normalize cannabis use in mainstream culture. When sports figures speak openly, it challenges stereotypes and reframes cannabis as wellness-oriented and a matter of personal choice. This resonates strongly with Millennials and Gen Z, core audiences in the legal market. Public support trends reinforce the shift; see Pew legalization support.

Know your local laws first; in most legal markets, adult-use requires age 21+ (or 18+ with a medical card in some states). See the NCSL cannabis overview. Visit a licensed dispensary for guidance on forms (flower, vapes, edibles, topicals) matched to your goals and tolerance. Use Herb’s Dispensary Directory to find trusted retailers by state and city. Remember: Herb’s content is educational only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.