[vincesanity82]

I can understand the NBA's stance against marijuana -- if you're going to pay an employee millions of dollars a year, it's not too much to ask that they simply obey the law -- but I'd never group it in the same performance-enhancing category as steroids or HGH. I mean, what performance does marijuana enhance? Watching cartoons and eating Cheetos? Apparently, though, not everyone thinks like me.

Joshua Pittman, a guy I've never heard of who plays in Argentina's professional league, has been suspended three years for testing positive for marijuana. Doesn't that seem like a harsh penalty for a recreational drug? Perhaps, but the Argentinian Liga Nacional believes the drug might be used for performance-enhancing reasons. From FIBA.com :
The decision will be sent to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and Dr Diego Grippo, who is in charge of doping tests, told Ole newspaper: "We cannot confirm whether marijuana does or does not improve the players' performances.

"It does not make you jump higher or score more three-pointers, but among the effects of this drug is sedation.

"Players can step onto the court feeling fearful or nervous, but if you take the drug you can be more relaxed. That's an advantage.

"Maybe Pittman needs it to be ok."

Is Weed a Performance-Enhancing Drug? - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

[EmpireWF]

In MMA, the Nevada State Athletic Commission changed the result of a fight earlier this year. Nick Diaz upset Takanori Gomi (who was HUGE in Japan) in PRIDE. Diaz's drug test came up positive for marijuana (in high quantities) and the NSAC overturned the outcome to a no contest. The NSAC felt the marijuana helped Diaz numb the pain of during the fight.

So in certain circumstances, there's no doubt (IMO at least) that marijuana does have positive qualities to athletes. But it's still illegal.

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

In MMA, the Nevada State Athletic Commission changed the result of a fight earlier this year. Nick Diaz upset Takanori Gomi (who was HUGE in Japan) in PRIDE. Diaz's drug test came up positive for marijuana (in high quantities) and the NSAC overturned the outcome to a no contest. The NSAC felt the marijuana helped Diaz numb the pain of during the fight.

So in certain circumstances, there's no doubt (IMO at least) that marijuana does have positive qualities to athletes. But it's still illegal.

Interesting, I guess yeah from a fighting stand point it would help you but also would make you uncoordinated, I mean Ive had my share of fun in the sun and I dont see how you can be productive with it..never less fight a match..

[EmpireWF]

Gotta think outside the box, obviously steroids and GH don't help a guy swing a bat and hit the ball, catch a ball, dunk a basketball, etc. They do give you a psychological edge, a physical edge (well, if you don't abuse them too much I guess) and such.

Perhaps a big guy who's favoring his back, tokes up before he heads to the arena. Now his back isn't bothering him as much and he feels better enough that he can bang on the boards and whatnot. I don't know if this could be accurate, but it sounds like it could be.

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

Gotta think outside the box, obviously steroids and GH don't help a guy swing a bat and hit the ball, catch a ball, dunk a basketball, etc. They do give you a psychological edge, a physical edge (well, if you don't abuse them too much I guess) and such.

Perhaps a big guy who's favoring his back, tokes up before he heads to the arena. Now his back isn't bothering him as much and he feels better enough that he can bang on the boards and whatnot. I don't know if this could be accurate, but it sounds like it could be.

Steroids and HGH do not play the game for you, true, but they do make you stronger and hence enhance your game, with weed, my experience is it makes you paranoid, laughing hysterically, and uncoordinated similar to what alcohol does, I an understand that it may help with the pain but it also makes you out of whack, not on your top game, I mean you can use the same argument for Alcohol, It helps with the pain so is it a PED as well??

[Quality88]

Only way weed is a performance enhancing Drug is if there is a big freakin hershey bar in the goals net.

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Only way weed is a performance enhancing Drug is if there is a big freakin hershey bar in the goals net.

haha....

[peg_city]

I have learned to put Weed in the same breath as alcohol. Although one is 'Illegal' they are pretty much are in the same league.

[azrael492]

It is not a PED. It impairs your mind. It may only make you paranoid or slow, but it does have an adverse effect. It will only hurt your performance.

Have you seen the movie Half Baked???

[EmpireWF]

I guess it depends on the sport and what the athlete has to do.