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Since April 2023, the NBA has stopped testing players for marijuana use, a decision that has sparked both support and criticism. While some question the change, others, like rapper and cannabis advocate Snoop Dogg, have welcomed it, seeing it as a step forward in removing stigma and embracing the evolving relationship between sports and marijuana.
Jason Williams Reflects on Marijuana Use During His Playing Days
Jason Williams, a former NBA star known for his flashy style of play, spoke about marijuana use during his career. Although he admitted to experimenting with cannabis, Williams shared that he would not have used it before games. While he recognized how marijuana could enhance creativity and imagination on the court, he didn’t believe it made him a better player.
He added, “I don’t think anyone should probably smoke before a game. For some people, it might help them, and I’m sure it does, but for me, smoking before a game wouldn’t be a good idea.”
Williams went on to compare marijuana with alcohol, explaining that, in his view, alcohol was “way worse for an athlete.” He explained, “After a game or whatnot, you go home and smoke one. It ain’t like you’re going to go out to the club, drinking a beer, speeding, or doing DUI things like that.”
He further clarified, “If anybody thinks that marijuana is a performance-enhancing drug, they’ve never smoked it.”
NBA Players Embrace the Cannabis Industry
In recent years, some NBA players have taken their involvement with cannabis even further, launching their own businesses in the industry. Isiah Thomas, a Hall of Famer and former Detroit Pistons legend, is one of the most prominent figures in this space. As CEO and chairman of One World Products Inc., the largest Black-controlled licensed hemp and cannabis producer in Colombia, Thomas is pushing the boundaries of cannabis in new and innovative ways. Notably, he’s working on a project to develop hemp-based car parts in collaboration with Stellantis, a major global automaker.
Meanwhile, former NBA player Lamar Odom, a two-time champion, has also entered the cannabis world, co-owning the CBD dispensary Higher Life CBD since 2022. Other players, such as Gary Payton and Carmelo Anthony, have followed suit by investing in the cannabis industry, contributing to the growing presence of athletes in the space.
This shift in the NBA, from testing players for marijuana to players venturing into cannabis businesses, highlights a broader change in the way the sports world is embracing cannabis. What was once a taboo topic is now becoming a major part of players' lives, both on and off the court.
