Last week, the 3-on-3 basketball league BIG3 announced it would be the first U.S. professional sports league to allow athletes the use of CBD for pain management, USA Today reports. BIG3’s athletes are typically former NBA players.
Earlier this year, CBD was removed from the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) list of prohibited substances. CBD remains banned, however, in all other sports leagues due to internal league rules.
“Despite many states around the country making efforts to decriminalize or legalize cannabis, both medicinally and recreationally, professional athletes who could benefit medicinally are prevented from doing so by league outdated mandates.’’ — BIG3 statement, via press release.
Already underway with its second season, BIG3 said the policy goes into effect immediately. THC, which is still on the WADA list of banned substances, will not be allowed.
“More than a dozen countries, including Canada and Israel, have approved CBD-based medications for both professional athletes and consumers. In the U.S., the shift is beginning to happen as the medication is not only used for pain management, but preferred over the powerfully addictive opioids and pain-relief drugs that are often the only other option.’’ — BIG3 statement, via press release.
The BIG3 league was started last year by noted rapper and cannabis proponent Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz.
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