Well this thread hasn't gotten racist...

Well this thread hasn't gotten racist...

 

If that is addressed at me, it couldn't be further from the truth. I am giving examples of what I've seen and continue to see from high level D1 athletes. I think you know me well enough to know that couldn't be further from the truth.

Well this thread hasn't gotten racist...

 

If you mean we're comparing races then yes.

 

Do you disagree?

 

And let me be clear so Joker doesn't get upset.

 

Weed is much more prevalent than many people realize or want to admit. It's not a "black thing." It's not a "hippie" thing. It crosses many categories.

 

My point is that (and pay attention here) if you could truly know what % of white PROFESSIONAL athletes smoke weed vs black PROFESSIONAL athletes then IMO it's higher in the black category.

 

So if you want to take me to task take me to task for what I'm saying.

I figured it would be more than that.

 

 

What most people don't realize is in society there are far more people than most could ever imagine who smoke. The same way most wind down after work with a couple of beers, a lot of others do the same with weed. I always equated it to wine drinkers in that it basically serves the same purpose, calming relaxation. It's no surprise that NFL athletes who take punishment to their bodies all day and push it to the limits wouldn't want to wind down and relax a little after practice, games, etc. The fact that marijuana also has numerous medicinal benefits is also a contributor IMO. It's easy to get addicted to prescription pain killers, but some strains of weed are just as effective and are not addictive or as physically harmful to your body or psyche. Opiate addiction is far worst than someone with a marijuana habit. The fact that marijuana can treat anything from anxiety, migraines, body aches, pain, nausea, etc. likely indicates why it would be used so much among major sports. Sadly it gets stigmatized and unfairly perceived as it is lumped in the category "drugs". Medically I would rather have a player consume marijuana than take all these pain injections, opiates, etc. Also it's not just minor ailments marijuana helps, it is known to solve numerous serious health issues such as severe epilepsy, and other ailments science has not found other cures for. In Canada they have also engineered a cannabis oil out of extract and they think this oil may be effective in treating certain types of cancers.

 

 

So I guess I said all of that to say this, in their profession I could see where marijuana would be more of a benefit than a deterrence. Unfortunately most people cannot shake the stigma or schema of a marijuana consumer as a lazy, uncoordinated, unmotivated, burnt out hippie. In all actuality there are plenty of productive "pot heads" out there and many of the most influential people in our society consume. The reality is once you become experienced with it the effects it has are rather mild. You are not out of your mind, you are not incapable of doing normal tasks. In fact some would argue it can improve performance because it increases your level of concentration and heightens your senses. A lot of creative and innovative ideas come from those who consume, so hopefully one day we will get past the point of all the negative/un fair stereotypes that have been raged on the plant since the 1930's. Basically through lies and propaganda we have our current stance on marijuana as a society, at least some states/countries are finally becoming wise to its benefits.

Not for certain on the % race, etc.

But I can tell you it's not that hard for a regular Joe to pass a drug

screen if they have an idea it's coming; much less a high paid athelete

Not for certain on the % race, etc.

But I can tell you it's not that hard for a regular Joe to pass a drug

screen if they have an idea it's coming; much less a high paid athelete

 

Also I don't really think these league "substance abuse policies" really target marijuana that much. If they did I'm sure you would hear of a lot more violating the policy for that reason considering the frequency and amount of players who smoke. Take Justin Blackmon for instance, they are saying alcohol is the problem from the quasi official stuff I read, but I have read its more than that. With that said obviously I don't think it was just marijuana because usually you don't even hear about that. I think he may have failed for a combination of stuff and basically defaulted to alcoholism.

I figured it would be more than that.

 

What most people don't realize is in society there are far more people than most could ever imagine who smoke. The same way most wind down after work with a couple of beers, a lot of others do the same with weed. I always equated it to wine drinkers in that it basically serves the same purpose, calming relaxation. It's no surprise that NFL athletes who take punishment to their bodies all day and push it to the limits wouldn't want to wind down and relax a little after practice, games, etc. The fact that marijuana also has numerous medicinal benefits is also a contributor IMO. It's easy to get addicted to prescription pain killers, but some strains of weed are just as effective and are not addictive or as physically harmful to your body or psyche. Opiate addiction is far worst than someone with a marijuana habit. The fact that marijuana can treat anything from anxiety, migraines, body aches, pain, nausea, etc. likely indicates why it would be used so much among major sports. Sadly it gets stigmatized and unfairly perceived as it is lumped in the category "drugs". Medically I would rather have a player consume marijuana than take all these pain injections, opiates, etc. Also it's not just minor ailments marijuana helps, it is known to solve numerous serious health issues such as severe epilepsy, and other ailments science has not found other cures for. In Canada they have also engineered a cannabis oil out of extract and they think this oil may be effective in treating certain types of cancers.

 

So I guess I said all of that to say this, in their profession I could see where marijuana would be more of a benefit than a deterrence. Unfortunately most people cannot shake the stigma or schema of a marijuana consumer as a lazy, uncoordinated, unmotivated, burnt out hippie. In all actuality there are plenty of productive "pot heads" out there and many of the most influential people in our society consume. The reality is once you become experienced with it the effects it has are rather mild. You are not out of your mind, you are not incapable of doing normal tasks. In fact some would argue it can improve performance because it increases your level of concentration and heightens your senses. A lot of creative and innovative ideas come from those who consume, so hopefully one day we will get past the point of all the negative/un fair stereotypes that have been raged on the plant since the 1930's. Basically through lies and propaganda we have our current stance on marijuana as a society, at least some states/countries are finally becoming wise to its benefits.

 

Very well said!

 

I would add that generally speaking alcohol is much tougher on your body that marijuana so I could see why someone who depends on their body for a living would choose pot over alcohol.

Also before anyone comes out and tries to tell me how wrong I am about the "dangers" of marijuana, please don't. The thing that sickens me the most is that 99.99999% of the people against marijuana who try to demonize it have never experienced it for themselves. That's the problem I have with it, how can someone who knows nothing about it personally tell the whole society how bad it is? People are stretching the truth when they do this, they are acting like they are an expert on a subject they know nothing about. It would be almost impossible to find someone who has smoked who comes out against it and supports all the anti-marijuana views. People who have smoked, even if just once or twice usually realize it's not what they were led to believe. However you have hundreds of thousands of people so dead set against it and they have no idea what they are even talking about. My opinion on anything is if you haven't experienced it yourself or been close enough to it where you actually know, don't act like you are an expert. That's the problem with society, there are too many "experts" who are simply uneducated about the topics they are supposed to be "experts" on. This leads to a brainwash that is very detrimental to society.

 

With that said I will admit Marijuana is not totally harmless. I'm not acting like it's the a perfect thing, because it is not. However, what I am saying is it's unfair it gets classified with other hardcore drugs. IMO it should be lumped together with tobacco and alcohol at the worst, I am of the opinion it is safer than both tobacco and alcohol. However, if you smoke it you are at a slight risk for lung disease and things related to that. However studies have shown the occasional marijuana smoker is at no more risk for this than the average non smoker. Also with ways to vaporize and consume edible marijuana, the lone health risks associated with it are almost nil. I'm not trying to act like marijuana is for everybody and we should all try it, that's not it. However, I just don't like the fact people are dead set against it when the reason they are so against it is from unfair/un true propaganda. If you don't know anything about it, please don't act like you know beyond a shadow of a doubt how wrong it is.

Very well said!

 

I would add that generally speaking alcohol is much tougher on your body that marijuana so I could see why someone who depends on their body for a living would choose pot over alcohol.

 

:thumb:

 

Didn't see this before I went on my second big rant, but I touch on that as well.

I will also add in my opinion (and the opinion of many others) the alcohol and tobacco lobbies work hard to make sure everyone knows marijuana is "bad."

I will also add in my opinion (and the opinion of many others) the alcohol and tobacco lobbies work hard to make sure everyone knows marijuana is "bad."

 

 

I would agree with that. If marijuana shared the same legality as alcohol I would imagine many alcohol consumers would likely switch to marijuana thus costing them millions.

I don't know if I believe less white athletes smoke. Just because of the amount of white people who I know in my everyday life who do smoke. The one area I can agree on is I think the white athlete may just be a lot more private about the use.

"My opinion on anything is if you haven't experienced it yourself or been close enough to it where you actually know, don't act like you are an expert."

 

No secret I am against the "recreational use" of pot. That notwithstanding, I found this quote in your post dolamite quite interesting. It's quite all encompassing as you state "on anything". I think you might want to think about that all encompassing statement. For instance, I talk to my players all the time about staying away from drugs and the dangers of underage drinking, smoking, etc. Well, I have never smoked or taken drugs...so by your statement I really can't talk about how bad those things are and they should do everything they can to avoid them? I mean, you really don't think I have to smoke meth to know how bad it is and to teach kids not to do it, right?

I will also add in my opinion (and the opinion of many others) the alcohol and tobacco lobbies work hard to make sure everyone knows marijuana is "bad."

 

You're right. It's not opinion since they do spend money on that. And pharmaceutical companies spend more.

"My opinion on anything is if you haven't experienced it yourself or been close enough to it where you actually know, don't act like you are an expert."

 

No secret I am against the "recreational use" of pot. That notwithstanding, I found this quote in your post dolamite quite interesting. It's quite all encompassing as you state "on anything". I think you might want to think about that all encompassing statement. For instance, I talk to my players all the time about staying away from drugs and the dangers of underage drinking, smoking, etc. Well, I have never smoked or taken drugs...so by your statement I really can't talk about how bad those things are and they should do everything they can to avoid them? I mean, you really don't think I have to smoke meth to know how bad it is and to teach kids not to do it, right?

 

I think you are both right. I think it is a part of any coaches responsibility to warn his/her players about the dangers of alcohol/drugs/illegal activity/etc. but at the same time if you are a "policy maker" you need to be a lot more worldly.