In some dark corners of the internet you’ll find outrage that tour player Matt Every’s second suspension for being in the vicinity of Mary Jane is a sign of some sort of tone-deaf problem. Even though the drug policy is set by WADA, the PGA Tour has issued warnings ad nauseum to players reminding them of the policy and a common sense belief that marijuana could be a performance enhancing, some think it’s a different beast.
Eamon Lynch at Golfweek does not believe so:
Count me among those who believe recreational drug use that doesn’t improve performance is no one else’s business. But all players know the Tour policy is in line with stringent World Anti-Doping Agency protocols. That’s what Every signed up to.
This week was a gentle reminder of the pitfalls inherent in the PGA Tour’s old marketing line, “These Guys Are Good,” which implies there isn’t a jerk, blowhard, cheat or abuser among them. Most guys are good, to be fair, but the Tour’s reputation need not be symbiotic with those who play it. Hitching its image to the conduct of individual players risks the Tour being embarrassed with every minor transgression, and crucified when a major one invariably comes.
That Every has already served three months for a prior violation, continued the use and did not apologize in issuing a statement, suggests either he may continue the practice when he returns to the PGA Tour.
“For me, cannabis has proven to be, by far, the safest and most effective treatment,” Every said. “With that being said, I have no choice but to accept this suspension and move on. I knew what WADA’s policy was and I violated it. I don’t agree with it for many reasons, mainly for my overall well-being, but I’m excited for what lies ahead in my life and career.”
While he says the doctor who has treated him since age five could not provide any other alternative remedy for his issues, Every has never suggested he filed for, and was denied, a Therapeutic Use Exemption. Nor has the PGA Tour deviated from WADA with regard to marijuana, as they have in a few other areas.
Which brings us back to the core issue: is marijuana potentially performance enhancing?
I have no idea but given that Matt Every stuck with it after one suspension and never suggested he ever applied for its use medicinally, it was not performance unenhancing.
Whether pot usage is enough to alter outcomes is another story. But in the grander scheme, as its usage is legalized in more places and a younger generation sees it as harmless, golf and WADA may need to study its impact on performance. I don’t need a case made but there may be a surprising number of fans who struggle to understand what the big deal is all about.
So…simple question based on your views of the game and what you know about cannibas…
