There has been a longstanding stereotype that NBA players use marijuana. While it is difficult to determine the exact prevalence of marijuana use among players, there have been several high-profile cases in which players have admitted to using marijuana.
NBA players who smoke weed include Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Klay Thompson, Lamar Odom, Al Harrington, and Allen Iverson. These players have used marijuana recreationally or medicinally and are advocating for cannabis reform in the league.
This article will explore six current and former NBA players who have admitted to smoking weed and how they are trying to change the stigma surrounding cannabis.
1. Kevin Durant
Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant has been one of the most outspoken advocates for marijuana use among NBA players. Appearing on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman, Durant admitted that he has used marijuana since he was 22 and even revealed that he was high during the interview.
Durant also mentioned his partnership with Weedmaps, an online cannabis marketplace, to spread awareness about the therapeutic benefits of marijuana and to challenge the narrative around athletes and marijuana use.
2. LeBron James
The Los Angeles Lakers star and four-time champion LeBron James is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA.
While James has never publicly admitted to using marijuana, he has hinted at it. In his book Shooting Stars, James admits to using cannabis in high school, saying it was a way to “escape the pressure” of being in the spotlight.
3. Clay Thompson
One piece of the Golden State Warriors dynasty that had a major influence on the team’s success en route to five straight Finals appearances with back-to-back championships is shooting guard Klay Thompson.
Thompson, one of the best shooters in the history of the NBA, has had his fair share of off-court issues with marijuana. He was arrested for marijuana possession in 2011 and was suspended for one game. While Thompson has since become more responsible with his cannabis use, he has always been open about its medical benefits.
Thompson is a proponent of marijuana’s use for pain relief and believes it can benefit athletes struggling with physical ailments.
4. Lamar Odom
Two-time NBA champion and former Sixth Man of the Year Lamar Odom has had a well-documented history of drug addiction, and he has admitted to using marijuana heavily in the past.
Odom’s issues with drugs reached a head in 2015 when he was found unresponsive and was subsequently placed on life support. He later attributed his near-fatal overdose to his drug use, including marijuana. Since then, Odom has been open about his struggles with addiction and the role marijuana played in his downfall.
Despite this, Odom still believes in the therapeutic benefits of cannabis and has turned to marijuana to help him cope with his mental health issues. He believes that marijuana can be beneficial if used responsibly and in moderation.
5. AI Harrington
Founder and CEO of his cannabis brand VIOLA, former NBA star Al Harrington has been a vocal advocate for marijuana use in the NBA. He has frequently discussed his cannabis use and how it has helped him deal with pain from a long career in the league.
Harrington is an outspoken proponent of cannabis reform. He believes the league should remove marijuana from its list of banned substances and allow players to use it for medicinal purposes. He launched VIOLA to bring awareness to the healing potential of cannabis and to challenge the stigma associated with its use.
6. Allen Iverson
Despite never winning an NBA championship, Allen Iverson is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA. Remembered for his iconic crossover move, AI was a different kind of superstar who embraced his inner outlaw.
Iverson was arrested in 1997 for possession of marijuana and later admitted to smoking marijuana throughout his career. AI Harrington persuaded Iverson to join him in the cannabis industry and recently partnered with Al Harrington’s VIOLA brand.