Big3 stays ahead of the curve, breaking ground, being progressive in the pro sports landscape.
The debate over allowing cannabidol (CBD) to be used in professional sports has been raging for a while now, and today Ice Cube and the BIG3 decided to take a formal stand.
According to CBSSports.com, after debating this issue for six months, the second year league has decided to legalize the usage of CBD.
“This is a no-brainer decision,” said league co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz to CBSSports.com. “This is a medical decision. It is a medical and a humane decision. To not allow athletes to use CBD and instead to force them to use opioids is irresponsible and perhaps even disgusting. It reflects an attitude of not caring about player health.”
With the opioid crisis destroying so many lives, many have pushed for the legalization of CBD in pro sports, saying that it’s less harmful than prescription pain medication. And with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) removing CBD from list of prohibited substances this year, the move by the BIG3 made sense.
“All the players we talked to have been either supportive or use it,” said Kwatinetz. “Not everyone uses it or wants to use it, but they are supportive of the right to use it. It’s a safe medicine that addresses pain.”
In an exclusive interview with CBSSports.com, Al Harrington, who plays for Trilogy in the league, voiced his opinion on the issue, one which comes with experience as he is a cannabis business owner. Here are excerpts from that interview:
“CBS Sports: The BIG3 is allowing CBD use — what is significant about this to you?
Al Harrington: Over the last couple of days, there’s been a lot of announcements and stuff like that. There’s now a pharmaceutical cannabis drug on the market. The government is trying to allow vets to be able to use cannabis and give ’em more access to cannabis. And then from a sports standpoint, being that the BIG3 will be the first professional league to allow CBD use in the league, I think it’s just huge.”
CBS: Specifically with the BIG3, how do you think CBD can help the athletes?
AH: It’s a big deal. I’m already supplying a bunch of the guys with creams and stuff like that they’ve been using since last year. They’re firm believers. They’ve been using it already. It’s funny, after Week 1, I got like six different requests from players like, ‘Yo, you need to bring some creams this week when we get to Chicago.'”
The league said this decision went into effect immediately, a week after the league’s season officially began.
To read the full interview, click here.
