B/R x 4/20: A Letter from the Editor

Joe YanarellaCorrespondent IApril 20, 2018

B/R

Marijuana usage and the push for legalization has intensified across the U.S. and throughout the world.

Nine states and Washington, D.C., have legalized broad usage for people aged 21 and over, while another 29 states have legalized some form of medical marijuana use.

Attitudes toward cannabis are rapidly changing, as focus has shifted away from pure recreational usage to potential medical or scientific benefits. Despite this shifting public landscape, cannabis is still banned in most of the major sports leagues. (Marijuana usage is illegal under federal law.)

With that in mind, Bleacher Report decided to provide a platform for former pro athletes to discuss marijuana, to allow closet smokers the opportunity to state their case—why they use cannabis, what they believe the benefits are and how their conversation mirrors those taking place at the state level.

It is incredibly important that Bleacher Report reflects the issues that matter to both athletes and our audience, and the future of cannabis is one of them. To mark 4/20—an unofficial marijuana holiday—B/R will be releasing content throughout the day that features an array of athletes discussing their experiences with cannabis. This is B/R x 4/20:

The NBA Is Back and the Soccer World Is Pumped
🌟The Champions: Easter Eggs 🌟
Boban Is Back to Break It Down for Another Season
Sweep the Leg with 'Karate Combat'
Thielen's Ride from Underdog to Record-Breaking WR
'Ginger Ninja' Is the Hottest PG Prospect in 2019 Class
🌟The Champions, Ep 4: Pulisic Hits Oktoberfest 🌟
Farmers Make Rocket League with Tractor Soccer
This Is Canoe Polo 😲
Shoot a Bull's-Eye with Extreme Archery 🎯
Ep 3: Mourinho Throws Dinner Party from Hell
Relive Ovi and the Caps' Summer of the Cup
Bodybuilder Making a Difference with Homemade Gyms
How to Perfect Timed Shots in FIFA
Players Battle Campers in Rivalry of the Summer
Happy 30th to KD!
Shanahan and His Son Carter Are Hyped for Carter V
16-Year-Old Tristyn Lee Is Getting Ripped in the Gym
Seven-Foot, 12-Year-Old Towers Over Opponents
Browns Winning Off the Field with Community Service

As part of this project, players share their stories and smoke cannabis on camera in California, where consumption is legal. (Note: No B/R employees associated with the production participated in on-site consumption.)

This is not an endorsement or indictment of cannabis usage but rather a platform for discussion—to allow the athletes’ voices to be heard and to share their stories.

To be able to facilitate that conversation is an incredible responsibility—and one that B/R takes seriously. I was blown away by the thoughtful nature of the discussions and the real-world implications the players referenced, ranging from pain management to stress relief.

As retired NFL offensive lineman John Moffitt said during one of two roundtable discussions hosted in California: “I think things like this is what’s important, because it’s breaking the stigma.”

Today marks the start of that conversation at B/R. I'm hopeful you'll spend some time at 420.BleacherReport.com to watch these athletes’ stories—from Al Harrington on his grandmother to Kenyon Martin on his bad knees—and use the hashtag #BRx420 to keep the conversation going.

Thanks for watching,

Joe Yanarella

Senior VP, Content

Bleacher Report