Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (Keith Allison/WikiMedia Commons)
Earlier this week, the NFL issued a 10 game suspension to Buffalo’s Seantrel Henderson, who failed a drug test after using marijuana to treat Chron’s disease, once again bringing up the discussion of whether professional sports leagues should relax their anti-marijuana policies.
On Friday, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr chimed in, speaking on on The Warriors Insider podcast, said that he tried using medical marijuana to treat chronic pain, and while it didn’t help him personally, it’s “only a matter of time” before professional sports leagues stop punishing players for marijuana use.
“I guess maybe I can even get in some trouble for this, but I’ve actually tried it twice during the last year and a half, when I’ve been going through this chronic pain that I’ve been dealing with.”
“A lot of research, a lot of advice from people, and I have no idea if maybe I would have failed a drug test. I don’t even know if I’m subject to a drug test or any laws from the NBA, but I tried it and it didn’t help it all. But it was worth it because I’m searching for answers on pain. I’ve tried painkillers and drugs of other kinds as well, and those have been worse. It’s tricky.”
“I know enough, especially the last couple years having gone through my own bout with chronic pain. I know enough about this stuff. Vicodin is not good for you – it’s not. It’s way worse for you than pot, especially if you’re looking for a painkiller, and you’re talking about medicinal marijuana and different strains and what they’re able to do with it as a pain reliever.”
“I think it’s only a matter of time before the NBA, the NFL and Major League Baseball realize that. And I would hope, especially for these NFL guys, who are basically involved in a car wreck every Sunday – and maybe four days later, the following Thursday, which is another insane thing the NFL does – but I would hope that league will come to its senses and institute a different sort of program where they can help these guys get healthier rather than getting hooked on these painkillers.”
Listen to the full podcast here.
Tags: Golden State Warriors, marijuana use in sports, NBA, professional sports, Steve Kerr