David Stern, the NBA’s former commissioner from 1984 to 2014, had some things to say about marijuana in an interview that may surprise some folks.
It was revealed on Wednesday that Stern believes the drug “probably should be removed” from the NBA’s banned substances list.
He told former NBA player Al Harrington in a documentary that was published by UNINTERUPTED, “I think all of the (sports) leagues are now appropriately focused on player training, structuring of the right parts of their body, player rehabilitation in the case of injury, player nutrition … (marijuana) should be a part of that conversation,” Stern told former NBA player Al Harrington in a documentary published by UNINTERRUPTED.
He also said, “We’ve got to change the collective bargaining agreement and let you do what’s legal in your state.”
“I think it’s up to the sports leagues to anticipate where this is going and maybe lead the way,” he remarked.
The Executive vice president of communications for the NBA, Mike Bass, told USA TODAY Sports’ Jeff Zillgitt, “While (current NBA) commissioner (Adam) Silver has said that we are interested in better understanding the safety and efficacy of medical marijuana, our position remains unchanged regarding the use by current NBA players of marijuana for recreational purposes.”
