List of NASCAR Drivers Who Use Cannabis

• NASCAR’s zero-tolerance policy remains strict – Despite state legalization, NASCAR prohibits any substance illegal under federal law, regardless of amount or medical necessity
• The consequences range dramatically – From Randy LaJoie’s three-month suspension to Shane Hmiel’s lifetime ban, penalties depend on cooperation and circumstances
• Tragedy sparked targeted reform – Kevin Ward Jr.’s 2014 death while under marijuana’s influence led to regular drug testing within World Racing Group–sanctioned sprint car and late model series
• Medical marijuana creates legal conflicts – Legal state patients like Ronnie Hults still face NASCAR suspensions due to federal Schedule 1 classification
• Testing began in earnest in 2009 – NASCAR implemented random drug testing after high-profile substance abuse cases, catching multiple drivers
• Modern cannabis culture intersects with racing – Despite restrictions, cannabis brands increasingly sponsor drivers, though NASCAR limits visible branding

Series: IMSA GT Championship, CART IndyCar Series
Years Active: 1980s
Marijuana Connection: Smuggled over 300 tons of Colombian marijuana to fund racing career

Randy Lanier represents the most extreme intersection of marijuana and professional racing. The 1984 IMSA Camel GT Champion used drug trafficking profits to finance his championship-winning career, eventually smuggling more than 300 tons of marijuana between 1976-1988. His operation, which began when he started selling marijuana at age 15, became the largest marijuana enterprise ever connected to motorsports.

Lanier’s racing success masked his criminal enterprise until his 1988 arrest and subsequent life sentence without parole. After serving 27 years in federal prison, he was released in October 2014 and has since become a cannabis advocate, even serving as a brand ambassador for medical marijuana companies. His story was featured in the Netflix documentary “Bad Sport” and documented in his book “Survival of the Fastest: Weed, Speed and the 1980s Drug Scandal.”

Key Stat: Lanier’s operation smuggled 600,000+ pounds of marijuana total, making him racing’s most notorious marijuana trafficker.

Where He Is Now: Lanier returned to racing in 2015 and continues advocating for cannabis reform while participating in vintage racing events.

Series: NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Years Active: 1970s-1980s
Marijuana Connection: Part of $300 million marijuana and cocaine smuggling operation

Gary Balough exemplifies NASCAR’s outlaw era, racing in the prestigious 1982 Daytona 500 just days before his arrest as part of a massive drug smuggling ring. The operation, valued at $300 million, involved 70 people including multiple drivers and mechanics who used their racing expertise to maintain drug-running boats.

Balough’s story gained renewed attention when he appeared on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast in July 2019 to discuss his experiences. His case highlights how racing mechanics’ technical skills translated directly to maintaining the high-speed vessels used in drug trafficking, as noted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Kritzer: “These men are adroit at using their hands and because they knew how to fix race cars, they also knew how to fix the vessels that were used in the operation.”

Key Stat: The 30-month undercover investigation led to 70 indictments, making it the largest NASCAR-connected drug ring in history.

Where He Is Now: After serving his sentence, Balough has remained involved in racing and shared his story publicly as recently as 2019.

Series: NASCAR Busch Series, Craftsman Truck Series
Years Active: Early 2000s
Marijuana Connection: Failed drug tests in 2003 and 2005, leading to lifetime ban

Shane Hmiel’s case represents the modern era of NASCAR’s substance abuse policy. The son of NASCAR competition director Steve Hmiel, Shane became the highest-profile driver suspended for marijuana when he failed his first test in 2003. His situation worsened in May 2005 when he tested positive for both marijuana and cocaine, leading to a January 2006 lifetime ban after he failed to appear for a follow-up test.

What makes Hmiel’s case particularly tragic is that he started smoking marijuana at age 12, suggesting underlying issues that contributed to his substance abuse. His medical diagnosis of bipolar disorder may have played a role in his struggles. The situation became even more devastating when he was paralyzed in a 2010 sprint car crash.

Key Stat: Hmiel’s lifetime ban marked the first major NASCAR suspension specifically for marijuana in the modern testing era, establishing the organization’s zero-tolerance approach.

Where He Is Now: Paralyzed since 2010, Hmiel co-owns a sprint car team and was granted special permission to attend the 2013 Atlanta race, though his lifetime ban remains in effect.

Series: NASCAR Winston Cup/Sprint Cup Series
Years Active: 1990s-2000s
Marijuana Connection: Possession and intent to sell charges in 2011 arrest

Jeremy Mayfield’s case stands out as NASCAR’s most controversial drug suspension. While his initial May 2009 suspension was for methamphetamine (which he disputed for years in court), his November 2011 arrest included marijuana possession charges. Police found 1.5 grams of methamphetamine during the raid, but marijuana charges were also filed.

As a five-time Cup Series winner, Mayfield’s fall from grace was particularly dramatic. He lost a lengthy legal battle against NASCAR over their testing policy and remains suspended indefinitely, though he continues racing late models at short tracks. His case highlights how marijuana charges can compound existing substance abuse issues in professional racing.

Key Stat: Mayfield is one of the only Cup winners known to have been charged with marijuana possession and intent to sell, making his case unusually severe.

Where He Is Now: Suspended indefinitely from NASCAR but continues competing in regional short track events.

Series: NASCAR K&N West Series
Years Active: 2000s-2010s
Marijuana Connection: Legal Colorado medical marijuana patient suspended by NASCAR

Ronnie Hults represents the most sympathetic case on this list. As a legal Colorado medical marijuana patient, Hults used cannabis to manage chronic pain from racing injuries to his lower back and hip. Despite having a valid state-issued MMJ card and using marijuana legally under Colorado law, NASCAR suspended him indefinitely in 2011 because marijuana remains illegal under federal law.

His attorney Gabriel Schwartz argued, “He didn’t violate the law and he has a right to this in this state.” Hults’ case highlights the conflict between state and federal marijuana laws and how professional sports organizations navigate this legal gray area. With 127,000 Colorado MMJ patients at the time, his suspension raised questions about athlete rights.

Key Stat: Hults is one of the few documented drivers suspended after testing positive despite being a legal medical marijuana patient, making his case a notable example of policy conflict.

Where He Is Now: Remains suspended indefinitely, though his case continues to be cited in discussions about medical marijuana rights in professional sports.

Series: NASCAR Busch Series
Years Active: 1980s-2000s
Marijuana Connection: Admitted to smoking marijuana after 2010 Coca-Cola 600

Randy LaJoie’s case demonstrates that even successful drivers weren’t immune to marijuana suspensions. The two-time Busch Series champion (1996, 1997) was working as a crew member for Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 18 Xfinity team when he admitted to smoking marijuana after the 2010 Coca-Cola 600. Unlike other drivers who contested their suspensions, LaJoie took full responsibility.

His cooperation with NASCAR’s recovery program led to the fastest reinstatement on this list – just three months in August 2010. LaJoie’s case shows that acknowledging mistakes and participating in rehabilitation can lead to successful returns, unlike drivers who refused testing or continued problematic behavior.

Key Stat: LaJoie is one of the only NASCAR champions known to have been suspended specifically for marijuana, making his voluntary admission particularly notable.

Where He Is Now: Retired from active competition but remains involved in racing through his son Corey LaJoie, who drives the No. 7 Spire Motorsports car.

Series: Sprint Car Racing
Years Active: 2010s
Marijuana Connection: Positive toxicology for marijuana at time of fatal 2014 accident

Though not a NASCAR driver himself, Kevin Ward Jr.’s case directly impacted NASCAR through his fatal encounter with NASCAR star Tony Stewart. The 20-year-old sprint car driver was struck and killed by Stewart’s car at Canandaigua Motorsports Park in August 2014. Toxicology reports revealed marijuana in his system, with Ontario County District Attorney Michael Tantillo confirming the findings: “The metabolites of the marijuana that were found in his system indicated that he had been smoking marijuana probably within a couple hours of the race but at the outside within five hours of the race.”

Ward’s death had far-reaching consequences beyond the tragedy itself. The World of Outlaws sprint car series implemented drug testing in 2017 specifically in response to this incident, demonstrating how a single case can reshape entire racing organizations’ policies. The district attorney described the toxicology findings as “very dramatic” and confirmed they were re-checked multiple times.

Key Stat: Ward’s death directly led to drug testing implementation in 2017, showing how tragedy can drive policy reform.

Where He Is Now: Ward tragically passed away in 2014, but his case continues to influence racing safety policies.

Series: NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, Truck Series
Years Active: 2000s
Marijuana Connection: Marijuana found during dramatic 2013 arrest

Tyler Walker’s case escalated from a NASCAR suspension to serious criminal charges. After an initial May 2007 suspension for a failed drug test, Walker’s situation deteriorated dramatically in January 2013 when he led police on a 150 mph chase through Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. During the arrest, authorities found methamphetamine, marijuana, and vodka in his car.

Walker eventually pled guilty to multiple charges including drug possession and was sentenced to prison. His case demonstrates how substance abuse issues can escalate beyond professional consequences into dangerous criminal behavior. Unlike drivers who successfully completed rehabilitation programs, Walker’s continued substance abuse led to increasingly severe legal troubles.

Key Stat: Walker’s three-state police chase represents the most dramatic arrest of any driver on this list, highlighting the potential consequences of unaddressed substance abuse.

Where He Is Now: After serving his prison sentence, Walker has not returned to professional racing.

Series: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Years Active: Early 2000s
Marijuana Connection: Refused drug test in 2003, later arrested for marijuana possession

Brian Rose’s case illustrates a failed recovery path. His troubles began in 2003 when he refused a drug test, leading to immediate suspension. Later that same year, he was arrested for marijuana possession and an illegal firearm. Though NASCAR reinstated him in 2010, Rose never successfully returned to professional racing.

His post-NASCAR troubles continued when he became involved in a coal-mining investment scheme that federal prosecutors later described as a Ponzi operation, eventually pleading guilty to wire and mail fraud in the mid-2010s. Rose’s trajectory shows how initial substance abuse issues can lead to a downward spiral of legal and financial problems, even after official reinstatement.

Key Stat: Rose’s case demonstrates that reinstatement doesn’t guarantee return, as personal issues may continue affecting professional opportunities.

Where He Is Now: Following his mid-2010s fraud conviction, Rose serves his sentence while remaining banned from professional racing.

Series: NASCAR Winston Cup
Years Active: Early 1980s
Marijuana Connection: Part of 1982 $300 million smuggling ring with Gary Balough

William Joseph Harvey completes the picture of NASCAR’s early drug smuggling era. The 32-year-old Rome, Georgia native raced in the 1982 Daytona 500, finishing 39th, while under investigation for his role in the same $300 million ring that ensnared Gary Balough. Like Balough, Harvey used racing as both cover and funding for drug trafficking activities.

Harvey’s case, along with Balough’s, represents the systematic nature of drug operations within early 1980s NASCAR. The 70-person ring included multiple drivers and mechanics who leveraged their racing connections and technical expertise to facilitate smuggling operations across state lines.

Key Stat: Harvey was one of five drivers indicted in the comprehensive investigation that exposed NASCAR’s drug underworld.

Where He Is Now: Limited information is available about Harvey’s post-conviction life, but his case remains a key part of NASCAR’s historical record.

NASCAR’s relationship with marijuana spans from the sport’s outlaw roots to today’s strictly regulated environment. While the organization maintains a zero-tolerance policy for any substance illegal under federal law, documented cases reveal a complex history of smuggling, testing violations, and legal conflicts. For cannabis enthusiasts exploring different consumption methods, understanding this history provides context for how professional sports navigate evolving drug policies. From championship winners to regional racers, these 10 drivers represent the full spectrum of marijuana’s intersection with American motorsports.

NASCAR’s substance abuse policy has evolved significantly since its implementation in 1988, with random testing beginning in earnest in 2009. According to official NASCAR policy, “NASCAR Members are prohibited from using, having in their system, possessing, purchasing, selling and/or participating in the distribution of any drug that is illegal to possess, use, and/or distribute by the laws of the United States of America and/or any of its 50 states, regardless of the amount, at any time.”

This zero-tolerance approach creates challenges in states where marijuana is legal, as demonstrated by Ronnie Hults’ case. Despite changing attitudes toward cannabis across America, NASCAR maintains its federal law-based policy, though the organization has shown some flexibility with CBD products and sponsorships. For those interested in exploring cannabis products that comply with various regulations, Herb’s comprehensive product catalog offers options across categories like edibles, topicals, and accessories.

The contrast between NASCAR’s strict policies and other sports leagues highlights the organization’s conservative approach. While the NBA has eliminated marijuana from its list of banned substances and the NFL has significantly reduced penalties, NASCAR maintains its lifetime ban authority for serious violations.