List of Cricket Players Who Use Cannabis

• Cannabis use in cricket spans decades – From David Murray’s 1970s struggles to Zimbabwe’s 2024 suspensions, marijuana has been part of cricket culture for over 50 years
• Group incidents reveal team culture – The South African five, Pakistan four, and New Zealand trio demonstrate how cannabis use often happened in team settings
• Modern enforcement is stricter – Recent cases like Abdur Rehman’s 12-week ban show cricket boards take recreational drug use seriously despite changing global attitudes
• Legacy isn’t always damaged – Legends like Stephen Fleming and Shane Warne maintained stellar reputations despite cannabis admissions
• The stigma persists despite normalization – Even as cannabis becomes legal in many countries, cricket maintains strict anti-doping policies
• Herb’s community offers balanced perspectives – For the latest on cannabis culture and responsible consumption, explore our strain guides and product catalog

Ian Botham’s 1986 cannabis admission created cricket’s first major drug scandal and established the template for how the sport would handle recreational drug use for decades.

• The incident: Botham admitted to cannabis use in a Mail on Sunday interview following a disappointing West Indies tour, after police had previously found marijuana at his home (resulting in a £100 fine)
• The fallout: Received a 63-day suspension from the Test and County Cricket Board
• The comeback: Returned to cricket and broke Dennis Lillee’s world record for Test wickets within 12 balls of his comeback match
• Legacy impact: Despite the scandal, Botham was knighted in 2007 and remains one of England’s greatest all-rounders with 380+ Test wickets and 5000+ runs

As the Christian Science Monitor reported at the time, “One of England’s star cricketers, and a hero to millions of school children, has admitted to smoking marijuana.” This case set the precedent for cricket’s approach to drug use, highlighting the need for clear policies and education.

David Murray represents cricket’s earliest documented cannabis case, with tragic consequences that contrast sharply with modern players’ experiences.

• Background: Son of legendary cricketer Everton Weekes, Murray played 19 Tests as a wicketkeeper in the 1970s-80s
• Substance progression: Started smoking marijuana at age 12, later progressed to cocaine addiction
• Career impact: His drug problems cut short a promising career
• Final outcome: Passed away in 2022 at age 72 after lifelong struggles with addiction

According to NDTV, “Murray admitted he got hooked to smoking cigarettes when he was about 12. He then progressed to marijuana and cocaine. The problem cost him his side to Deryck Murray.” His case serves as a cautionary tale about long-term substance abuse, though modern understanding of addiction has evolved significantly.

This trio’s incident revealed the complicated team dynamics surrounding cannabis use in cricket, with a whistleblower creating lasting tensions.

• The incident: Smoked marijuana at a barbecue during New Zealand’s 1995 tour of South Africa
• The aftermath: Fleming, Nash, and Hart received three-match limited-overs suspensions
• Financial impact: Fleming paid $175 in fines plus tens of thousands in legal fees and lost sponsorships
• Team division: Fleming claimed “more than half the team” were involved but they were “made scapegoats” after teammate Danny Morrison reported them

As Cricket365 noted, “Fleming said that more than half the team were involved but that he, Hart and Nash were made scapegoats after Danny Morrison reported the incident to team management.” Despite this setback, Fleming became New Zealand’s most respected and longest-serving captain.

The largest group cannabis incident in cricket history involved five South African players celebrating a series victory in the West Indies.

• The players: Herschelle Gibbs, Paul Adams, Andre Nel, Justin Kemp, Roger Telemachus, plus physio Craig Smith
• The context: Post-match celebrations after South Africa’s 82-run victory over the West Indies
• The punishment: Fined R10,000 each (approximately $1,300 USD each, totaling roughly $7,500–$8,000)
• Revelation timing: The incident wasn’t widely reported until Gibbs revealed details in his 2010 autobiography “To the Point”

According to 365NotOut, “The incident wasn’t widely reported at the time but became public years later when Gibbs revealed the details in his autobiography.” This case demonstrates how team culture around cannabis could remain hidden for years.

This case became an international diplomatic incident when four Pakistani stars were arrested in Grenada.

• The players: Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Aquib Javed, and Mushtaq Ahmed
• The location: Caught by local police in Grenada during West Indies tour
• The resolution: All charges dropped after intervention from Grenada’s Prime Minister, with Pakistan Cricket Board defending its players
• Match impact: The opening Test in Trinidad was delayed by one day

As reported by Times of India, “The matter was redressed only after then Grenada Prime Minister intervened as Pakistan Cricket Board had came in defence of its players.” This case shows how cricket boards protected star players in the 1990s.

Dermot Reeve’s post-career admission provided unprecedented insight into cannabis use in 1990s cricket.

• The admission: Revealed he “occasionally smoked marijuana” during his playing career in the 1990s
• The revelation: Claimed widespread use, stating “If every cricketer I knew at the time I played was banned from playing, you would not have seen very good teams out there”
• Later issues: Also admitted cocaine addiction that cost him his broadcasting career
• Consequence: Relocated to Australia to rebuild his life

In his Mail on Sunday interview, Reeve suggested marijuana use was common: “I am talking about the teams in the 90s, when I played for England and Warwickshire. I occasionally smoked marijuana at that time out of season, but it was never a problem.” His insider perspective suggests cannabis use was more widespread than official records indicate.

Abdur Rehman’s case demonstrates how domestic cricket enforces anti-doping rules even for recreational substances.

• The context: Tested positive while playing for Somerset in the English county circuit
• The ban: 12-week suspension imposed by England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)
• The reasoning: While cannabis isn’t performance-enhancing, it violated ECB’s strict code of conduct
• Public response: Rehman apologized for his “error of judgment” and promised to stay focused during suspension

As 365NotOut reported, “While cannabis is not considered a performance-enhancing drug, its use still violated ECB’s strict code of conduct.” This case shows how modern cricket boards maintain zero-tolerance policies regardless of a substance’s performance effects.

Alex Hales suffered one of the most severe consequences for recreational drug use in recent cricket history.

• The incident: Tested positive for recreational drugs twice in 2019
• The punishment: 21-day ban and, most significantly, exclusion from England’s 2019 World Cup squad
• Team impact: Created a “massive loss of trust” between Hales and his teammates
• Redemption: Successfully returned to international cricket as part of England’s 2022 T20 World Cup winning team

According to Cricket365, “Alex Hales was withdrawn from England’s 2019 World Cup squad after serving a 21-day ban for recreational drug use.” His eventual return to the international stage demonstrates that career recovery is possible even after major setbacks.

This 2024 incident shows that cannabis use remains an issue in modern cricket despite increased awareness and stricter policies.

• The players: Promising young talents – Madhevere (all-rounder) and Mavuta (spin bowler)
• The punishment: 4-month bans each from Zimbabwe Cricket Board
• Board stance: Sent “a strong message about the importance of maintaining a drug-free environment in cricket”
• Career impact: Significant setback for both players, who were key members of Zimbabwe’s national team

As 365NotOut documented, “Their bans underscored the organization’s firm stance on integrity and discipline.” This recent case demonstrates that cannabis use continues to be a concern in contemporary cricket.

While not officially confirmed as a cannabis incident, this case generated significant marijuana rumors during the pandemic era.

• The players: Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, and Niroshan Dickwella
• The incident: Breached COVID-19 bio-bubble protocols during England tour in 2021
• Official reason: Suspended for protocol violations, not drug use
• Rumors: Widespread speculation suggested marijuana use, though never officially confirmed

According to 365NotOut, “Although the official reason for their suspension was the protocol breach, rumors spread suggesting marijuana use.” This case illustrates how cannabis speculation persists even without confirmation, particularly in high-profile incidents.

Shane Warne’s admission of marijuana experimentation adds another dimension to his rebellious persona.

• Usage context: Acknowledged experimenting with marijuana during his career as part of his “rebellious persona”
• Career impact: Never faced major controversy or sanctions related to marijuana use
• Cultural reference: In 2016, a photo surfaced of Ed Sheeran with a novelty bong shaped like Warne
• Legacy: Remains regarded as the greatest leg-spinner in cricket history despite various off-field controversies

According to 365NotOut, “Shane Warne, the legendary Australian leg-spinner, publicly acknowledged experimenting with marijuana during his career, though it was never a major scandal like some other cricketers’ controversies.” His case demonstrates how admission doesn’t necessarily affect a player’s legendary status.

The relationship between cannabis and cricket reflects broader societal attitudes toward the plant. While cricket maintains strict anti-doping policies through organizations like the ICC and WADA, the reality of player behavior often diverges from official positions.

For those interested in exploring cannabis culture beyond cricket, Herb offers comprehensive strain information and a curated product catalog featuring accessories, edibles, flower, and more from trusted brands. Our editorial content covers the latest in cannabis culture, legalization updates, and responsible consumption practices.

The evolution from David Murray’s tragic 1970s experience to modern usage mirrors global shifts in cannabis perception. While cricket boards maintain zero-tolerance policies, players’ experiences with cannabis range from career-ending scandals to no consequences whatsoever.

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