ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith has long been the subject of jokes for his repeated warnings to athletes to ‘stay off the weeeeeeeeduh.’ Now, he is urging the NBA to take another look at its stance on marijuana.
The league first paused marijuana testing during the 2020 NBA Covid Bubble, a move that was initially presented as temporary.
That policy later became permanent. Before the 2023-24 season, the NBA formally removed marijuana from its list of prohibited substances after the change was included in the league’s new collective bargaining agreement.
Smith, however, is not convinced the league made the right call. He recently argued that marijuana — or “weed,” as he put it — should be treated as a performance-enhancing drug.
Performance-enhancing drug labels are more commonly associated with substances such as steroids or growth hormones, which can aid muscle growth, recovery and physical development. Smith’s argument centers instead on cannabis’ calming effects, which he believes can provide a competitive edge.
‘I consider weed a performance-enhancing drug,’ Smith said on an episode of ‘The Culture Table’ – a podcast from his production company, Straight Shooter Media.
Stephen A. Smith believes the NBA should consider weed a performance-enhancing drug
Smith argues the drug’s anti-anxiety effects could give players an unfair advantage
Explaining his position, Smith pointed to the talent found outside the NBA, saying that while professional players are on another level, there are still highly skilled players across the country who “can really, really ball.”
‘There’s two things they’re lacking that the professionals don’t. The level of discipline, night in, night out, based on committing yourself to whatever, and nerves.
‘You can be a bada** player, but the moment you get fidgety, weed helps subside that. Calms the nerves. No, those nerves are a part of it. It ain’t just your athletic ability, it’s your poise under pressure, it’s your nerves.’
In Smith’s eyes, the effects of the drug have the ability to calm players to such a degree that they don’t feel any pressure from opposing crowds or tense moments.
‘I’m like go get all the therapy you want. But as much as I’m a fan of yours, and I feel sorry that you’re going through this, as a sports fan, not so much because that’s part of the competition,’ Smith continued.
‘If you go into a visiting territory, the crowd favors somebody over you, that’s a part of it. Heckling you, that’s a part of it. Tryna test your nerves, that’s a part of it.
‘So, to me, if you are using a drug that helps you calm your nerves, and to elevate your poise, that’s a performance-enhancer. You are immune to the pressure.
‘I’ve seen the greatest walk up in pressure moments, and fold. In any sport, we’ve seen it. So, if weed is something that helps that, that’s a performance-enhancer. It shouldn’t be allowed.’
Smith was blasted for his take, with many saying he over-exaggerated the effects
It’s unclear if Smith believes that other anti-anxiety drugs should also be banned for athletes.
On social media, Smith was toasted by users who claimed that he has no idea about how long-lasting the drug’s effects are.
‘[cap emoji] kuz you can’t smoke DURING the game and smoking a Blunt before a 48min game ain’t doing S*** come crunch time [laughing emojis],’ read one Instagram comment. ‘Stephen A just talks with such conviction it makes yall think he knows what he’s talking about.’
Another comment read, ‘U can’t hit a blunt in the middle of a game tho and smoking before ain’t gonna save you.’
‘Just because something reduces anxiety doesn’t mean it’s a performance enhancer. Ashwaganda can do the same thing should that be banned as well,’ another user wondered.
One user joked, ‘Weed gives me whole panic attacks tf he talking about.’
Despite Smith’s pleas, it’s highly unlikely that there will be any changes to the league’s policy.
