Sports | June 27, 2018 10:36 am

BIG3 Becomes First Pro Sports League to Allow Cannabis Treatments for Pain

Ice Cube's basketball league's legalization of the use of cannabidiol is effective immediately.

Jeff Kwatinetz, Rashard Lewis, Allen Iverson, Ice Cube, Kenyon Martin, and Roger Mason Jr. attend a press conference announcing the launch of the BIG3, a new, professional 3-on-3 basketball league, on January 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for BIG3)

Michael Loccisano

By Evan Bleier @itishowitis

Effective immediately, the BIG3 is the first professional sports league in the United States to allow its players to use cannabis as a treatment for pain.

League co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz told CBS Sports he and other league co-founder Ice Cube has been discussing implementing the policy to legalize the usage of cannabidiol (CBD) within the league for at least half a year.

The BIG3 co-founders view CBD as an alternative to opioids for pain treatment that is far less dangerous than prescription drugs.

“This is a no-brainer decision,” Kwatinetz said. “This is a medical decision. It is a medical and a humane decision. To not allow athletes to use CBD and instead to force them to use opioids is irresponsible and perhaps even disgusting. It reflects an attitude of not caring about player health.”

According to Kwatinetz, players in the league have been supportive of the decision although not all of them plan to take advantage of the policy.

The BIG3’s second season tipped off last week in Houston.