Should Marijuana be Allowed for Pro Athletes? Steve Kerr Believes So

At the age of 51, Steve Kerr, the head coach of the NBA's Golden State Warriors, had stated earlier this week that he had tried using marijuana to relieve his chronic back pain over the past two years. He mentioned that after trying it, he didn't like using it and that the drug did not agree with his body, but he concluded that painkillers and other medicine did not have the same effect, and, in most cases, were worse than the results he received from marijuana. Kerr urged the NBA, and other professional leagues, to reduce their stance on marijuana and embrace the possibilities that it can open up.

"If you're an NFL player, in particular, and you got a lot of pain, I don't think there's any question that pot is better for your body than Vicodin," Kerr said. "And yet, athletes everywhere are prescribed Vicodin like it's Vitamin C, like it's no big deal." He believes that if leagues were to allow marijuana to be used by its players, there would be a negative perception, such that the NFL would be "worried that their fans are going to go, 'All the players are potheads.'" And they have every reason to make that claim, however, once officials announce that they accept the benefits of using the drug can bring, fans all around would consider the act admirable and more likely a step in a positive direction.

-Domenic Manzi