Utah Jazz editorial: NBA, NBPA need to reassess stance on marijuana

Rules are rules, and Utah Jazz forward Thabo Sefolosha violated the NBA’s drug policy. That said, the league should re-evaluate its stance on marijuana.

As a general rule, I try not to get too political with anything I write for The J-Notes. I’m by no means of the “stick to sports” mindset, but I’m also aware that people don’t really come to a Utah Jazz blog for commentary on Donald Trump, Obamacare, DACA or the like.

Having said that, sociopolitical issues do pop up from time to time in Jazzland. And, sometimes, simply letting sleeping dogs lie just isn’t the way to go. Such was the case on Tuesday following news that Jazz forward Thabo Sefolosha had received a five-game suspension from the league for violating its drug policy.

Don’t expect the NBA to come out and say what exactly led to Sefolosha’s suspension, but it’s not a hard case to crack. Per league policy, a third positive test for marijuana is what mandates that level of punishment.

Now, before I editorialize too much, let me say this — thoughts on this subject are my own and don’t necessarily represent the views of my fellow contributors or FanSided as a whole. And I welcome any constructive dialogue on the topic at hand regardless of where you stand.

Furthermore, rules are rules; and I get that. Clearly, Sefolosha broke one, which is never something you want to see from the veteran leadership of your team. Regardless of the offender, the appropriate punishment should be levied when a rule is broken, too. So, in that sense, I don’t have much gripe over Sefolosha’s impending suspension.

However, there is such a thing as a bad or flawed rule and this definitely qualifies. In fact, most of the major professional sports organizations in the U.S. are getting it wrong where marijuana is concerned.

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Whether you’re in favor of pot — be it for medical or recreational purposes — or not, the fact remains that the push for legalization grows by leaps and bounds every year. A Gallup poll conducted in October found that 64 percent of Americans are in favor of such action. And it’s not a partisan issue, either.

That approval rate has steadily and consistently improved among members of both major parties for some time. Last year, it reached majority for Republicans for the first time. That societal shift has been mirrored in the government’s handling of marijuana as well.

Several states have already adopted some form of legalization. Legislative bills for legalization are being proposed in others states all the time, too.

The days of Reefer Madness and pot as a “gateway drug” are long behind us. The substance, which was once considered as dangerous as things like heroin or crystal meth, is now being used as a treatment for Alzheimer’s, MS, PTSD, chronic pain, depression and a host of other ailments.

I won’t lie to you and say there’s no downside. As with almost anything in life, long-term overuse can lead to various medical issues. Furthermore, in places where marijuana has been legalized (in Colorado, for example) there’s been a spike in pot-related traffic incidents and hospital visits.

However, those numbers are dwarfed by statistics for things like heart disease, obesity and tobacco or alcohol-related issues. I don’t see the league suspending anyone for eating cheeseburgers or having a beer at the club after a game.

Also — the DEA acknowledges in its own marijuana fact sheet that no death from an overdose of the substance has ever been reported. You can’t say the same for most prescription or even over-the-counter drugs that are out there.

Regarding pot and basketball players, former NBA commissioner David Stern has gone on record about his belief that the policy should be changed. In late 2017, he had this to say —

"“I’m now at the point where personally I think it should be removed from the banned list.”"

Stern continued —

"“I think we have to change the Collective Bargaining Agreement and let you do what’s legal in your state. If marijuana is now in the process of being legalized, I would think you should be allowed to do what is legal in your state. Now I think it’s up to the sports leagues to anticipate where this is going and maybe lead the way.”"

He’s not wrong. And, for his part, current commish Adam Silver has expressed a willingness to reassess marijuana’s spot on the no-no list.

For now, though, players have to operate within the confines of league rules and regulations. If Sefolosha broke a rule, I accept the fact that corrective action will take place. I’m sure he has as well. Still, the league needs to reach a point where the simple use of marijuana, without any other qualifier, warrants such action.

Marijuana use hasn’t been a hot topic for the NBA and the NBPA during recent labor negotiations. But when the time comes to iron out the next CBA, it really should be.