I can understand the NBA's stance against marijuana -- if you're going to pay an employee millions of dollars a year, it's not too much to ask that they simply obey the law -- but I'd never group it in the same performance-enhancing category as steroids or HGH. I mean, what performance does marijuana enhance? Watching cartoons and eating Cheetos? Apparently, though, not everyone thinks like me. Joshua Pittman, a guy I've never heard of who plays in Argentina's professional league, has been suspended three years for testing positive for marijuana. Doesn't that seem like a harsh penalty for a recreational drug? Perhaps, but the Argentinian Liga Nacional believes the drug might be used for performance-enhancing reasons. From FIBA.com (with a major hat-tip to Thank You Isiah):
The decision will be sent to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and Dr Diego Grippo, who is in charge of doping tests, told Ole newspaper: "We cannot confirm whether marijuana does or does not improve the players' performances.Or maybe that's just the dumbest thing I've heard this week. Yes, drugs are bad (pay attention, kids!), but anyone who thinks a team of stone-cold sober players would be at a disadvantage to a team of stoned players should re-think their policies. The Olympic Committee has already thrown out such silly notions, now it's FIBA's turn.
"It does not make you jump higher or score more three-pointers, but among the effects of this drug is sedation.
"Players can step onto the court feeling fearful or nervous, but if you take the drug you can be more relaxed. That's an advantage.
"Maybe Pittman needs it to be ok."
ADVERTISEMENT
_thumbnail.jpg "NASCAR Cowboy Hats")
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Drugs are only bad in excess, everything in moderation, including dose and frequency, just like alcohol
Posted at 6:04PM on Dec 20th 2007 by Timothy Leary
2. DO YOU THINK THIS GOVERNMENT COULD LEARN ANYTHING FROM PROHABITION.... THOSE WHO CAN NOT LEARN FROM THE PAST ARE CONDEMMED TO RELIVE IT....THE ONLY REASON WEED IS AGAINST THE LAW IS BECAUSE OF THE MOST CORRUPT AND DISHONEST PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY, RICHARD NIXON..... NIXON HAD NO RESPECT FOR OUR RIGHTS. HE HATED THE WAR PROTESTERS AND THIS WAS HIS WAY OF PUNISHING THOSE HE DIDNT LIKE
Posted at 6:44PM on Dec 20th 2007 by ted wilson
3. Weed makes you type everything with CAPS LOCK on.
Posted at 7:38PM on Dec 20th 2007 by mookie
4. It also makes you think Argentina is part of America.
Posted at 8:01PM on Dec 20th 2007 by insomniac
5. Dumbass - Why do you think older people smoke it before work and stressful social situations? Only teenagers smoke it to get high. Everyone else uses it to cure hangovers, de-stress, and make Family Guy funny.
Posted at 11:06PM on Dec 20th 2007 by Dave
6. Ted, Jesus Christ, you're an idiot.
Posted at 12:29AM on Dec 21st 2007 by petejayhawk
7. Hey nice article...very good points!
Posted at 4:57AM on Jan 24th 2008 by Justin