Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr prefers cannabis to opioids

On Saturday, during a TV interview, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said that the use of medical use of cannabis is less dangerous for athletes than opioid treatments.

«I'm no expert on the subject, but I know one thing: if you're an American football player and you're in a lot of pain, I don't think anyone can argue that weed is better than Vicodin.» The Vicodin is a powerful painkiller. It's notably the drug that the famous Dr. House uses to get high.

Professional Leagues in the Crosshairs

Vicodin is often prescribed as freely as vitamin C in the United States. Many athletes in MLB, the NBA, and the NFL—often retired players—report the harmful effects of this type of opioid, which, despite its effectiveness, makes players addicted to the medication. Steve Kerr, for his part, is calling on the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Commission to consider the issue. «  »I’m not talking about recreational use, but rather painkillers—what’s best for our players’ health? This should be on the negotiating table between team owners and professional league executives. Ultimately, though, it’s not my responsibility to make that decision.”

Steve Kerr tried both types of treatment after back surgery that sidelined him for half a season. He found that medical cannabis didn’t work for him—his pain didn’t go away. So he switched to opioids, which he didn’t like because of their side effects. In his statement, he called for players to have a choice in their medications.

«I see it mainly as a matter of perception and education. The NFL, NBA, and MLB are run by businesspeople who have a reputation to uphold. So you definitely don’t want the public to think that the players are a bunch of stoners (sic).  It’s only a matter of time before medical cannabis is allowed in sports leagues, because education will eventually overcome people’s perceptions of this product.»

More and more voices are on the rise in American sports for the introduction of medical cannabis treatments.