from James McClure of Civilized,

To find out more detail on the NHL policy, we reached out to the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) - the labor union representing athletes in North America's top hockey league. The union handles grievances as well as negotiating with the league on rules and procedures, including guidelines for drug testing.

An NHLPA spokesperson - who spoke with Civilized on the condition of not being quoted - said that the league does not condone marijuana. However, it is not part of the NHL's testing for performance-enhancing substances. When testing players each season, one third (which is no fewer than 200 athletes) are randomly selected to be screened for stimulants like amphetamines, narcotics like cocaine, and cannabinoids such as marijuana and hash.

Players aren't identified - regardless of the results. And those who who test positive aren't disciplined. Instead, the anonymous stats are presented to the NHL and NHLPA's Performance Enhancing Substances Program Committee for review so that they can decide how to handle testing moving forward.

However, if a player is found to have a dangerously high level of a narcotic or cannabinoid, he is subject to mandatory assessment by doctors working for the NHL and NHLPA's Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program.

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