The use of Marijuana is spreading even in the sports world. Recently Kevin Durant highlighted the use of Marijuana in the NBA. While speaking to All The Smoke Podcast, he said:
“It’s just like, Marijuana is Marijuana. It’s not harmful to anybody. it can only help and enhance.”
Recently, most of the NBA players have come into the limelight for taking a vocal stance towards the use of cannabis. During the offseason or sometimes before the games, they appear to consume some marijuana.
Approximately 60-75% of active NBA players reportedly consume Marijuana regularly according to different sources. Some of the high-profile players are using the drug for medical purposes.
Currently, the NBA is being pushed by franchise owners, players, and league managers to rethink their hard stand on Marijuana. Recently, the Major League Baseball removed weed from its drug testing list. That lends strong support for the removal of the same by the NBA.
Marijuana is still among the 200 substances that the NBA banned. Steve Nash, J.R. Smith, Allen Iverson, and Kevin Durant are some of the famous names that have taken a prominent stance towards its use. They all claim that Marijuana is healthy and productive.
However, the waters are still murky for now. Dion Waiters, while playing for Miami heat, received a ten-game suspension for the consumption of edible gummy cannabis.
The NBA’s Stand on Marijuana
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said:
“When I’ve talked to players about it, I think they have mixed feelings. It’s not so much about what guys do in the summer.”
According to the NBA Drug Policy:
“If a player tests positive for Marijuana, or if he is convicted of, or pleads guilty to, the use or possession of Marijuana, he will be required to submit to treatment and aftercare testing in the Program. A second violation will result in a $25,000 fine; a third violation will result in a 5-game suspension.”
Additionally, the NBA says that there is no penalty to any player who comes forward voluntarily for Marijuana or any other drug of abuse testing if they have never been in the Program for any drug abuse.
This development comes into a strong picture moving through 2020 how NBA responds to any form of criticism on its drug policy. The policy also speaks about the limited use of cannabis, which is still not clear currently.
