Larry Sanders says he "believes in marijuana and the medical side of it." So much so the fifth-year Milwaukee Buck has now been suspended twice by the NBA for failing drug tests for pot in less than a year. The latest is a 10-game ban.
He sat out five games at the end of last season and, due to injuries, has not played since Dec. 23. Sanders is eligible to return to the hardwood on Feb. 7, as long has he complies with the treatment program.
Larry Sanders: 'The stigma is that it's illegal. Once this becomes legal, this all will go away.'
The Milwaukee Bucks center says about marijuana:
"It's something I feel strongly about, just to let you know something personal about me. I will deal with the consequences from it. It's a banned substance in my league. But I believe in marijuana and the medical side of it. I know what it is if I'm going to use it.
"I study it and I know the benefits it has. In a lot of ways we've been deprived. You can't really label it with so many other drugs that people can be addicted to and have so many negative effects on your body and your family and your relationships and impairment. This is not the same thing.
"The stigma is that it's illegal. I hate that. Once this becomes legal, this all will go away. But I understand for my work it's a banned substance. I will deal with the consequences and I apologize again to my fans for that."
In 27 games so far this season, Sanders has averaged 7.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, both slighlty above his career averages. The 6-11 banger was taken by Milwaukee out of Virginia Commonwealth in the first round of the 2010 draft.
