Prior to last season, Steve Kerr underwent two separate spinal surgeries, and the complications that stemmed from those procedures caused him to miss a significant portion of Golden State’s historic run. Even after his return, the Warriors’ coach acknowledged that he still wasn’t 100 percent healthy.
During a recent appearance on the Warriors Insider Podcast, Kerr made the bombshell admission that he’s used marijuana on at least two separate occasions to get some relief from his ongoing back problems. Via Monte Poole of CSN Bay Area:
“I guess maybe I can even get in some trouble for this, but I’ve actually tried it twice during the last year and a half, when I’ve been going through this chronic pain that I’ve been dealing with,” Kerr said Friday on The Warriors Insider Podcast.
“(After) a lot of research, a lot of advice from people and I have no idea if maybe I would have failed a drug test. I don’t even know if I’m subject to a drug test or any laws from the NBA.”
Twenty-six states, including the District of Columbia, have laws in place that have decriminalized the use of medical or recreational marijuana. California is one of those states. The NBA, however, has long prohibited marijuana use among its players, with consequences including fines and/or suspensions, although it’s unclear exactly how those rules apply to coaches and other league personnel.
Far from being apologetic, Kerr went on to advocate for a re-evaluation of marijuana as a pain management solution for professional athletes, arguing that narcotic pain killers such as Vicodin are much more dangerous and more addictive. Studies in recent years have shown that pharmaceutical drugs kill more people each year in America than all other illicit drugs, combined.
“There’s this perception in our country that over-the-counter drugs are fine, but pot is bad,” Kerr said, explaining that some folks continue to resist the notion that pot is somehow more treacherous than, say, alcohol, while others have studied the subject and become advocates.”
The league offices will undoubtedly review Kerr’s comments to determine what, if any, punishment might be in order.
