By Mike Kahn
CBS SportsLine Executive Editor
July 20, 1998

Not that he would ever be compared to Richard Nixon, but National Basketball Players Association executive director Billy Hunter wanted to make his perspective on adding marijuana to the NBA's drug policy perfectly clear:

"This

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will not," Hunter emphasized, "prevent us from reaching a compromise on a new collective bargaining agreement. But I will not agree to sanctions that are stronger than those put upon the general public, either.

"We are not of the impression marijuana is a problem with the players. Remember, the players association took the lead, with the NBA, to outlaw drugs in 1983. It just hasn't been looked at in 15 years."

WHEN THE DRUG POLICY WAS FIRST implemented, the NBA's problem substances were different than today's -- cocaine, crack, heroin, amphetamines and downers were far more prevalent. Since then, usage of that group has slipped dramatically in the NBA, as it has in the general public, and marijuana has been referred to as the "drug of choice" of the league's players. One report quoted sources as saying as many as 70 percent use marijuana.

Hunter says there are lots of wild numbers out there but won't deny concern -- especially with the report of Atlanta Hawks free agent Greg "Cadillac" Anderson admitting to his involvement in a "cocaine distribution ring."

"Let me just say the players association is against drug use and involvement," Hunter said. "I was provided with reports from this year by the NBA about 21 individuals who got into trouble, and it was reported more than once. Only six or seven of those were accused of using marijuana. We have 411 active members, so I don't call that a problem.

"What bothers me is I've been quoted of having demanded, if the drug policy is modified, economic concessions. That isn't true. It was all out of context in our overall negotiations. We are adamantly against the use of drugs. What happened was I refused to negotiate in the abstract. I knew the collective bargaining agreement would be terminated and I wouldn't agree to a global settlement on the subject. Rest assured, if we settle on the other (economic) issues, the drug policy modification won't hold up the deal. It will get done."

In

Players association executive director Billy Hunter says he doesn't think marijuana is a major problem for NBA players. (AP)

one breath, Hunter says the players are adamantly against drug usage. In the other, he says there isn't a problem. Keep in mind, the negotiations between the NBA and the players association have grown increasingly acrimonious over the past month -- particularly with the lockout imposed by the owners on July 1. Still, Hunter insists this is an entirely separate issue that just happens to be coming to light at this time.

THE OTHER COINCIDENCE IS marijuana usage might be at an all-time high in the NBA. The 70 percent figure might or might not be exaggerated, but to talk about only six or seven players being involved with marijuana is far more ridiculous.

Philadelphia's Allen Iverson has been dangling on the edge of drug controversy, involving marijuana possession by friends, for two years now. Former Washington Wizards star Chris Webber was arrested for a traffic violation and accused of having a joint in the ashtray when he was pulled over. And there have been more than a few players convicted of massive possession in recent years.

Then again, there is a huge difference between having a problem with marijuana as a way of life as opposed to occasional recreational usage -- even if it is illegal.

"When they attempted to negotiate that in globally around the agreement, we agreed to go back later and revisit the modification to include marijuana," Hunter said. "We're just now getting around to it. But I think the sanctions were oppressive -- from 10 games as a first offense and on from there. I won't agree to something like that. I will agree to a compromise."

As for alcohol, Hunter said that has not been brought into the discussion, but he wouldn't be surprised if it was not. As with every other sport, alcohol is the most abused drug.

"They will probably raise that," Hunter conceded. "But that hasn't been included yet."

Mike Kahn is a CBS SportsLine's executive editor.