Larry Sanders, Marijuana And The NBA’s Anti-Drug Policy

Nov 21, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders (8) against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Bucks 124-83. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders (8) against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Bucks 124-83. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
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Larry Sanders
Sep 30, 2013; St. Francis, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks player Larry Sanders speaks during media day at Milwaukee Bucks Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

The Changing Perception Of Marijuana

Anyone who voices their opinion on the NBA’s marijuana policies should probably be upfront about their stance on marijuana in general, so here goes: I don’t smoke pot. It’s not something that’s ever appealed to me. But that’s not to say I’m some prude on a high horse who doesn’t understand the appeal, or some moral authority with an anti-weed agenda.

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Though I don’t partake, that’s not to say I’m never around the stuff. Friends whom I hang out with on a consistent basis regularly smoke. I don’t think less of them for choosing to do so; it’s just not something that’s for me. They know better than to try the old peer pressure routine on me, and I know better than to turn my personal opinion of weed into judgment about them.

I’m also not naive enough to think that my own stance on marijuana is anything but old-school. These days, pot is used recreationally as frequently as alcohol among people my age. It’s legal in Colorado and Washington and it’s only a matter of time before it’s legalized nationwide.

But the crux of the issue here isn’t whether or not marijuana should be legal.

Marijuana serves medicinal purposes. It’s probably the least addictive drug out there; you don’t really hear anyone talk about becoming a hopeless pot addict/abuser like the more serious substances out there, including alcohol.

But save your pro-marijuana arguments for the time being. Because in light of the NBA’s anti-drug policy and what we know about Larry Sanders himself, the merits of legalizing ganja for basketball players don’t really matter.

Next: A Look At Larry Sanders