Kevin Durant said it didn’t take much for him to persuade NBA commissioner Adam Silver to take marijuana off the NBA’s banned substance list.
In fact, Silver could smell it on Durant when the two had met to discuss it, Durant recalled during CNBC and Boardroom’s inaugural Game Plan sports business conference in Los Angeles this week.
The topic came up when “Squawk Box” co-anchor Andrew Ross Sorkin broached it with the NBA superstar when they discussed Durant’s investments in a number of cannabis-related businesses.
Durant, 34, had long been an advocate of having marijuana taken off the list, and it was removed as part of the NBA and NBA Player’s Association’s new collective bargaining agreement.
“I just felt like it was becoming a thing around the country, around the world…The stigma behind it wasn’t as negative as it was before. It doesn’t affect you in any negative way,” Durant explained about his push to have it taken off the list.
When Sorkin asked how Silver responded to the idea, Durant said that the commissioner agreed.
And part of what helped make the case, according to the Phoenix Suns superstar, was Silver smelling it on him during that meeting.
“Well, he smelled it when I walked in,” Durant said. “So I didn’t really have to say much, you know what I’m saying? He kind of understood where this was going…It’s the NBA, man… everybody does it, to be honest. It’s like wine at this point.”
The stigma around marijuana has shifted drastically access the country and the NBA has seemingly followed suit in how it views the drug.
Durant not only played a role in getting removing the stigma the use of the drug but also investments in businesses related to cannabis.
Through Thirty Five Ventures, Durant has invested in a number of marijuana businesses including Dutchie, Canopy Rivers and Weedmaps.
“I just enjoy the plant. It’s as simple as that,” Durant said.
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