Cliff Robinson is one of many people taking advantage of Oregon’s new marijuana laws.
The former NBA player, who spent the majority of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers, is opening up his own weed dispensary named Uncle Spiffy’s.
“Cannabis is definitely a more positive alternative to pharmaceuticals at the end of the day,” Robinson recently told the Portland Business Journal. “Those are synthetics. I’m talking about something that’s natural that can bring the outcomes you’re looking for, be it for muscle tension or relaxation or preparedness. There are a whole lot of different things that are beneficial.”
Robinson also talked about the benefits he believes marijuana can have for pro basketball players, many of whom are under enormous pressure to play at a high level.
“When you talk about guys playing on a professional level, there’s a lot of physical and mental stress that comes with that, and to have something available to you that has health benefits, I don’t see the issue with it myself,” Robinson said.
Legislation legalizing marijuana in Oregon went into effect last October, and you have to be 21 years old to purchase it. It’s one of three states with legalized weed, in addition to Colorado and Washington.
It’ll be interesting to see if the NBA changes its drug policy at all if more states with teams legalize marijuana.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver was asked about marijuana testing in a GQ interview with Chuck Klosterman from 2014. The league’s current policy enforces a five-game suspension for any player who tests positive for marijuana three times.
“This is a policy matter, and it’s our strong preference that our players do not consume marijuana,” Silver said. “We believe it will affect their performance on the court. That said, marijuana testing is something that’s collectively bargained with the players’ association, and we adjust to the times.
“But we’re much more concerned about HGH testing and designer performance-enhancing drugs. Among our many priorities going forward, marijuana is not at the top of our list.”
Thumbnail photo via Twiter/@uhleeseeyuh
