Major League Baseball removed marijuana from its banned-substance list during the offseason, but the league informed teams last week that players remain subject to potential discipline for using or possessing the drug.

In the memo, which was obtained by ESPN, deputy commissioner Dan Halem wrote that the league maintains the right to punish players who break existing marijuana laws, such as possession and distribution, as well as for driving under the influence.

Players and team personnel who "appear under the influence of marijuana or any other cannabinoid during any of the Club's games, practices, workouts, meetings or otherwise during the course and within the scope of their employment" will undergo a "mandatory evaluation" for a potential treatment program.

While the penalty for a Major League player testing positive for marijuana in the past was a fine, the biggest change addresses Minor League players, for whom marijuana was a banned substance with a harsh suspension for testing positive.