Despite its proven track record in pain management, healing, and concussion treatment, marijuana remains on the banned substance list in most major sports. While leagues like the UFC have been progressive about their views on cannabis, most leagues are simply behind the eight-ball. The NBA remains one of those leagues, although there has been plenty of evidence to suggest they are willing to get with the times.
It’s been far from a secret that the NBA has been getting laxer about its weed policies over the years. Former commissioner, David Stern, talked at length with former NBA Al Harington about removing weed from the banned substance list, and the known-stickler appeared genuine about adapting to the times.
The current commissioner, Adam Silver, has openly said he will revisit the NBA’s policy for medicinal marijuana. And today, on a 4/20 roundtable discussion with B/R Mag’s Master Tesfatsiont, a bunch of former NBAers reveals how much weed was actually smoked in their playing days.
Kenyon Martin Claims That 85 Percent of NBA Players Smoke Weed
In the interview, former NBA power forward Kenyon Martin, alongside fellow ex-players, Matt Barnes, Cuttino Mobley and the aforementioned Harrington, reveals that most of the league’s players toke up on a regular basis. In fact, Kenyon Martin claims that 85 percent of NBA players smoke weed.
“How many closet smokers do you think there are?,” asks Tesfatsiont.
“I think 85 percent of the League,” Martin estimated. It was a lot of people who you wouldn’t think [smoked].”
Matt Barnes, who retired just last season after 15 years in the NBA, went into specifics.
“GMs, coaches, presidents,” Barnes said. “It goes deeper than you would think. Some of the people who are cranking whips and suspending