Pubdate: Sun, 06 Apr 2003
Source: Oregonian, The (Portland, OR)
Copyright: 2003 The Oregonian
Contact:  http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/324
Author: Geoffrey C. Arnold
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

A LEAGUE IN DENIAL?

News of Qyntel Woods' citation for marijuana possession last week on top of 
the Trail Blazers' continued problems with the drug again have pushed the 
issue of marijuana use in the NBA to the surface. There is extensive 
suspicion that more than a few NBA players smoke marijuana, and the league 
refuses to recognize the problem.

"If they tested for marijuana, there would be no NBA," former player 
Richard Dumas said in 1997, a statement that served as the catalyst for a 
controversial New York Times article that claimed that many players used 
marijuana.

Some players think the NBA's anti-drug policy is nothing more than a public 
relations ploy and not much of a deterrent.

"It's a joke, Utah forward Karl Malone said. "We have a drug policy, but we 
really don't. It's like doing a job halfway.

"We tell kids to read to achieve and all that, then those same kids turn on 
the television and see that one of the guys who was reading to them just 
got caught for marijuana."

The league and the players association counter with the report that 12 of 
its 430 players (2.8 percent) tested positive for marijuana during training 
camp in October 1999. In addition, the only players formally accused of 
marijuana possession this season have been on one team: the Blazers. 
(Woods, Damon Stoudamire, Rasheed Wallace)

"Looking at the big picture leaguewide, we don't feel there is a perception 
that there's a problem of drug use among the players," said Dan Wasserman, 
director of communications for the National Basketball Players Association. 
"To date, we have not heard any hue and cry that the drug policy is 
inadequate or ineffective."

However, critics say the testing is flawed. The players association sent a 
letter to its members telling them they would be tested, providing ample 
time for anyone to clean up.

"You know when they're going to test," Malone said. "They all but send you 
a memo."

The anti-drug policy in the current collective bargaining agreement calls 
for veteran players to be tested once during training camp and rookies to 
be tested as many as four times during the season. Players also may be 
tested if there is "reasonable cause of a player's use, possession and 
distribution" of marijuana. Woods could fall under the "reasonable cause" 
clause, because he told police he was addicted to marijuana, according to a 
police report.

In addition, any player who is convicted or pleads guilty or no contest to 
the use or possession of marijuana in violation of the law will be required 
to enter the league's anti-drug program.

The league cracks down on "hard" drugs such as cocaine, opiates (heroin, 
morphine and codeine), amphetamines and PCP. The anti-drug policy 
authorizes immediate dismissal from the league of any player who tests 
positive, is convicted, pleads guilty or no contest to any crime related to 
use or possession of those drugs.

But it's different for marijuana. A player can enter the program many times 
and not worry about expulsion from the league. A third violation of the 
policy for marijuana results in a five-game suspension.

Whether or not it is actually doing so, whenever players are charged with 
marijuana use or possession it creates the perception that the league is 
sweeping the issue under the rug.

Cases involving high-profile players such as Allen Iverson (1997), Chris 
Webber and Marcus Camby (1998) and Isaiah Rider (1999) reinforced the 
perception that marijuana use is widespread in the NBA.

The issue had abated some, until the Blazers' troubles this season. And 
with an image-conscious league such as the NBA, bad publicity is a big concern.

"There's no question these incidents are bad for the league," said Portland 
center Chris Dudley, the team's union representative. "This needs to be 
addressed for the next collective bargaining agreement."

The league probably wouldn't quibble with increased testing. The question 
is whether the players union would sign on. That's doubtful, given their 
stiff resistance to subjecting their players to any more testing than the 
public must endure.

Dudley said he would be willing to consider measures to tighten the 
league's anti-drug policy on marijuana, a sentiment echoed by Malone.

"They can test me all they want," Malone said. "I don't have a problem with 
it."

Although the league might take up the issue of marijuana use, some say the 
issue this season is one that primarily affects the Blazers. And with more 
pressing issues (luxury tax, minimum draft age, salary cap) likely to be 
addressed in negotiations for the next collective bargaining agreement, 
marijuana isn't a high priority.

"The only opportunity to make a change in the policy is in the context of 
the CBA; when the negotiations start, everything will be on the table," 
Wasserman said. "That would be an appropriate forum for the issue to be raised."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager