Stephen A. Smith’s Latest Cannabis Take Is Sparking Debate
Stephen A. Smith has never been shy about sharing an unpopular opinion, and his latest take is no exception.
During a recent discussion on The Culture Table Podcast, the longtime ESPN personality argued that the NBA should once again prohibit marijuana use, calling cannabis a “performance-enhancing drug” because, in his view, it helps players calm their nerves and perform better under pressure. Smith contends that managing those high-pressure moments is part of professional sports and that anything that eases that burden gives athletes an unfair advantage.
His comments come just a few years after the NBA made one of the most significant policy changes in professional sports. As part of the league’s current collective bargaining agreement, marijuana was removed from the NBA’s banned substances list in 2023, ending years of testing and discipline related to cannabis use. The decision reflected changing public attitudes toward cannabis and growing support from players, many of whom argued that cannabis was a safer alternative to prescription painkillers and opioids for pain management and recovery.
Smith’s comments came as part of a broader conversation about cannabis use in sports. While the discussion covered several aspects of the plant, it was his assertion that cannabis could provide a competitive advantage by helping players stay calm under pressure that generated the most attention. It’s a viewpoint that contrasts with the NBA’s current policy and the growing acceptance of cannabis as a wellness and recovery tool among many current and former athletes.
Whether you agree with Smith or not, his comments have reignited a conversation that extends well beyond basketball. The NBA has already made its decision for now, but as cannabis research continues to expand, don’t expect this conversation to disappear anytime soon.
