Show caption David Stern served as commissioner of the NBA from 1984 through 2014, overseeing dramatic growth both domestically and internationally. Photograph: China Photos/Getty Images NBA Ex-NBA commissioner David Stern says marijuana should no longer be banned Former commish says sports leagues should ‘lead the way’ on cannabis

Stern, 75, oversaw league during explosion in popularity in 80s and 90s Guardian sport Wed 25 Oct 2017 11.33 EDT Share on Facebook

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Former NBA commissioner David Stern says he’s in favor of removing marijuana from the league’s list of banned substances.

Stern, who oversaw the league from 1984 through 2014 and is credited with its explosion in popularity over that span both domestically and internationally, made the statement in a documentary produced by former NBA player Al Harrington, who has become a cannabis entrepreneur since retiring in 2015.

“I’m now at the point where, personally, I think [marijuana] probably should be removed from the ban list,” Stern said. “I think there is universal agreement that marijuana for medical purposes should be completely legal.”

Former NBA commissioner David Stern discusses cannabis with former player Al Harrington.

Stern, who instituted and enforced harsh policies with respect to marijuana use while serving as commissioner, defended the policies of his tenure, saying: “Some of our players came to us and said [players] were high coming into the game, so we began tightening it up.”

But the 75-year-old acknowledges that times have changed, noting the legality of marijuana in Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

“It’s a completely different perception,” Stern said. “I think we have to change the collective bargaining agreement and let you do what is legal in your state. If marijuana is now in the process of being legalized, I think you should be allowed to do what’s legal in your state.

“So now I think it’s up to the sports leagues to anticipate where this is going and maybe lead the way.”

In August, the NFL finally took a step toward reversing a long-held refusal to acknowledge medical cannabis as a legitimate option for pain management when it sent a letter to the NFL Players Association offering to collaborate on research into the potential use of cannabis for medical rehabilitation.