A sportsperson who is also a cannabis advocate can face a lot of challenges because support for marijuana can lead to reduced sponsorships and breaching contract values. While other athletes started opening up about their weed use at the end of their sports careers, some got busted. Here are ten people that are renowned in the world of sports who smoked some pot:
– Michael Phelps: He is the record holder for the most medals won in the Olympics with 28 medals and 23 of them are gold. This American hero proved that people who smoke weed can remain functional and perform at the elite level, including in swimming and many other sports.
– Jim McMahon: He is a devoted cannabis supporter mainly because this two-time Superbowl champ got off his heavy medication use because of the wonder plant.
– Ronda Rousey: There are speculations that this UFC star does smoke weed during her off-season. Whether that rumor is real or not, Rousey has always been a supporter of medical cannabis, which she takes advantage of for pain relief after her fights.
– Nick Diaz: The former Strikeforce Welterweight Champion who has a record of 26-8 in MMA tested positive for weed in 2012.
– Damon Stoudamire: The 1996 Rookie of the Year in the NBA played for the Portland Trail Blazers when he got caught in legal troubles due to being a weed smoker. One example was in 2002 when, together with Rasheed Wallace, he was stopped because he was driving and speeding under the influence of marijuana.
– Rasheed Wallace: Any basketball fan knows Wallace who was an NBA champion in 2004 and was a four-time All-Star. He was a part of the Blazers as well, and he was arrested with Damon Stoudamire after they were charged with marijuana possession in 2002.
– Mark Stepnoski: One of the defensive linemen of the Dallas Cowboys in the late 90s and 2000s, Mark is quite famous for spending time trying to push for marijuana legalization in the US after he retired. He has always been a vocal advocate for medical cannabis, and he never hid his use of weed after each game.
– Josh Howard: Another NBA player, Howard is considered as the whistleblower on marijuana cases in the league because he exposed himself and other players regarding pot use. He was one of the very first and few to admit he was a pothead during his off-seasons as an active player.
– Ricky Williams: He started his career in New Orleans before he moved to Miami. He later retired only to switch to the Canadian Football League and returned to the southern US to conclude his sports career. After that, he has been a massive supporter of marijuana and its benefits.
– Allen Iverson: Even haters cannot deny Iverson has incredible talent in the court. He was arrested for marijuana possession in 1997, and even that did not stop him from having a great basketball career.
Most of the athletes above have experienced the medicinal benefits of marijuana. Therefore, lost revenue was not a problem as they spread the news about the potential of the lifesaving plant. Despite strict rules against weed, some sportsmen’s love for getting high took priority over the consequences even if it put an end to their sports careers.
