NBA Playoffs 2014 Bracket, Teams & News Update: Bucks' Larry Sanders Says "I Believe in Marijuana" After 5-Game Suspension

Hours after apologizing for his 5-game suspension after testing positive for marijuana use, Larry Sanders defended the benefits of the drug. The Milwaukee Bucks center initially said that he takes full responsibility for his actions and told the Bucks organization and fans that he was deeply sorry for the troubles. 

However, he expressed his thoughts on marijuana use afterwards, according to a report by Fox Sports. "It's something I feel strongly about, just to let you know something personal about me." He added, "I will deal with the consequences from it. It's a banned substance in my league. But I believe in marijuana and the medical side of it. I know what it is if I'm going to use it." 

Sanders continued talking about how he studied and understood the advantages that the drug can offer and how most people have been deprived of its benefits, since it is illegal in many states. Washington and Colorado already legalized marijuana. He said that it should not be categorized with other addictive illegal substances that ruin people's lives. Marijuana and other drugs are not the same, the Bucks center said. 

Based on a report on SLAM Online, Sanders was given the suspension while staying on the bench. He was sidelined because of right orbital fractures when he was accidentally hit by James Harden's elbow, in a February 8, 2014 game. He will begin serving the suspension on the next game he is cleared to play, which is in the 2014-2015 NBA season. 

Sanders signed a four-year $44 million extension contract with the Bucks in the summer, but had been going through a number of hurdles such as getting in a bar brawl, which caused animal cruelty issues about him to surface as well as publicly arguing with teammate Gary Neal. The 6'11 center also complained about not getting enough game time on the court. He averaged 25.4 minutes of play. Sanders was able to play in 23 games where he averaged 7.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks, according to Bleacher Report.