Blake Griffin: Medicinal marijuana makes sense in NBA

The growing debate over medicinal marijuana and whether it can be beneficial to treating various ailments for professional athletes received another endorsement today with Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin telling Rolling Stone it would be beneficial to treat pain.

"“It doesn’t really affect me, but so many guys would probably benefit from it and not take as many painkillers, which have worse long-term effects,” Griffin said in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine. “So I would vote yes. I just think it makes sense.”"

The NCAA recently lowered the penalty for players testing positive for marijuana from a full season to a half season and the potential for medical marijuana was a topic addressed by Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell during the Super Bowl.

“We have to explore and find ways to make our game a better game and take care of our players in whatever way possible,” Carroll said. “Regardless of what other stigmas might be involved, we have to do this because the world of medicine is doing this.”

Goodell said they are not actively considering allowing it at this time but wouldn’t rule it out in the future.

The NBA has a reputation with more than a few players who like to get “faded” and roll up a blunt, so I’m sure many in the NBA would share the same opinion as Griffin.