Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via GettyKevin Durantis helping to take the “stigma” away from marijuana use in the NBA.While speaking atCNBC x Boardroom’s Game Plan Summiton Tuesday, the Phoenix Suns superstar revealed that he had a blunt talk with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver that led to the league’s recent elimination of its weed ban.“I actually called him and advocated for him to take marijuana off the banned substance list,” Durant, 34, said. “I just felt like it was becoming a thing around the country, around the world, that the stigma behind it wasn’t as negative as it was before. It doesn’t affect you in any negative way.“The University of Texas alum said he even smoked just before his meeting with Silver.“Well, he smelled it when I walked in, so I ain’t really have to say much,” Durant said. “He kind of understood where this was going. And I mean, it’s the NBA, man. Everybody does it, to be honest. It’s like wine at this point.“Durant said Silver “agreed” to lift the ban, which is now part of the seven-year collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and the player’s union that became effective on July 1.Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via GettyNever miss a story — sign up forto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.PEOPLE’s free daily newsletterNow entering his 17th season in the league, Durant has long been a proponent of the recreational drug. In 2021, he became an investor in WeedMaps — a platform that connects buyers to dispensaries —according to SB Nation.Before the new bargaining agreement, players who violated the league’s marijuana policyfaced incremental punishment: entering the league’s treatment and counseling program after the first violation, facing a $25,000 fine for the second, and receiving a five-game suspension without pay for the third.In 2021, the NBA stopped random testing for marijuana and began to focus its testing on performance-enhancing drugs and “drugs of abuse” like cocaine and methamphetamine, perUSA Today.As Durant begins his first full season with the Suns, the athlete is aiming to continue to evolve alongside teammatesDevin Booker, Deandre Ayton and recent additionBradley Beal.But in his CNBC interview, Durant seemingly downplayed the role he played in changing the league’s drug policy, saying: “I just enjoy the plant.”

Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty

Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets smiles during an open practice on October 8, 2022 at HSS Training Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Kevin Durantis helping to take the “stigma” away from marijuana use in the NBA.While speaking atCNBC x Boardroom’s Game Plan Summiton Tuesday, the Phoenix Suns superstar revealed that he had a blunt talk with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver that led to the league’s recent elimination of its weed ban.“I actually called him and advocated for him to take marijuana off the banned substance list,” Durant, 34, said. “I just felt like it was becoming a thing around the country, around the world, that the stigma behind it wasn’t as negative as it was before. It doesn’t affect you in any negative way.“The University of Texas alum said he even smoked just before his meeting with Silver.“Well, he smelled it when I walked in, so I ain’t really have to say much,” Durant said. “He kind of understood where this was going. And I mean, it’s the NBA, man. Everybody does it, to be honest. It’s like wine at this point.“Durant said Silver “agreed” to lift the ban, which is now part of the seven-year collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and the player’s union that became effective on July 1.Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via GettyNever miss a story — sign up forto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.PEOPLE’s free daily newsletterNow entering his 17th season in the league, Durant has long been a proponent of the recreational drug. In 2021, he became an investor in WeedMaps — a platform that connects buyers to dispensaries —according to SB Nation.Before the new bargaining agreement, players who violated the league’s marijuana policyfaced incremental punishment: entering the league’s treatment and counseling program after the first violation, facing a $25,000 fine for the second, and receiving a five-game suspension without pay for the third.In 2021, the NBA stopped random testing for marijuana and began to focus its testing on performance-enhancing drugs and “drugs of abuse” like cocaine and methamphetamine, perUSA Today.As Durant begins his first full season with the Suns, the athlete is aiming to continue to evolve alongside teammatesDevin Booker, Deandre Ayton and recent additionBradley Beal.But in his CNBC interview, Durant seemingly downplayed the role he played in changing the league’s drug policy, saying: “I just enjoy the plant.”

Kevin Durantis helping to take the “stigma” away from marijuana use in the NBA.While speaking atCNBC x Boardroom’s Game Plan Summiton Tuesday, the Phoenix Suns superstar revealed that he had a blunt talk with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver that led to the league’s recent elimination of its weed ban.

“I actually called him and advocated for him to take marijuana off the banned substance list,” Durant, 34, said. “I just felt like it was becoming a thing around the country, around the world, that the stigma behind it wasn’t as negative as it was before. It doesn’t affect you in any negative way.”

The University of Texas alum said he even smoked just before his meeting with Silver.

“Well, he smelled it when I walked in, so I ain’t really have to say much,” Durant said. “He kind of understood where this was going. And I mean, it’s the NBA, man. Everybody does it, to be honest. It’s like wine at this point.”

Durant said Silver “agreed” to lift the ban, which is now part of the seven-year collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and the player’s union that became effective on July 1.

Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty

PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 11: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns looks to pass the ball during Game 6 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs Western Conference semi-finals against the Denver Nuggets on May 11, 2023 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Now entering his 17th season in the league, Durant has long been a proponent of the recreational drug. In 2021, he became an investor in WeedMaps — a platform that connects buyers to dispensaries —according to SB Nation.

Before the new bargaining agreement, players who violated the league’s marijuana policyfaced incremental punishment: entering the league’s treatment and counseling program after the first violation, facing a $25,000 fine for the second, and receiving a five-game suspension without pay for the third.

In 2021, the NBA stopped random testing for marijuana and began to focus its testing on performance-enhancing drugs and “drugs of abuse” like cocaine and methamphetamine, perUSA Today.

As Durant begins his first full season with the Suns, the athlete is aiming to continue to evolve alongside teammatesDevin Booker, Deandre Ayton and recent additionBradley Beal.

But in his CNBC interview, Durant seemingly downplayed the role he played in changing the league’s drug policy, saying: “I just enjoy the plant.”

source: people.com