Legalization ignites marijuana debate
CALGARY—The news of the day here in Canada has been all about the legalization of marijuana that became official yesterday.
And the topic made it’s way into the Saddledome after the Bruins morning skate in preparation for their game against the Calgary Flames last night. Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid made some news in recent days in saying “you’d be stupid not to look into it” when the subject of using cannabis to manage pain came up.
But if the Bruins, who also happen to work in a state that has legalized the drug, had given much thought to it, they weren’t saying.
“A, I don’t smoke anything — cigars, cigarettes, pot. I just never had in my life. I don’t like the taste or the smell,” said coach Bruce Cassidy. “To me, I’m not against it if the facts dictate that it can help you. There’s a conversation there about is it a gateway drug? I don’t know enough about it. But I’m open-minded enough where if someone could convince me that (players) would be better off . ...
“You speak to some millenials and they seem to feel that way. I don’t have a strong opinion because personally I have no experience. But I think it’ll be interesting to see where it goes. Obviously Canada’s first. If it works out, we’ll be trendsetters; if it doesn’t, we’ll look like idiots. Time will tell.”
Players did not seem to view the news with much more than a shrug of the shoulders.
“Personally, my opinion on it for pain management, I know people who have used it for that and gotten medically cleared for it and they do say it’s helped with different things,” said Jake DeBrusk, one of four Canadians on the B’s current roster. “I think any time a country makes it legal, it’s got to have some benefits to it. I’m not really scientific and I don’t know too, too much about it, but I know that it helps with that.”
Said Brad Marchand: “It doesn’t affect me one way or another. If it’s legal, then it’s legal, but I don’t think it’s going to change a whole lot around the league. Guys are pretty dedicated to the sport and to improving their game. It doesn’t change a whole lot for us.”
The league’s current policy toward cannabis is fairly liberal. It does test for it, but a positive test for marijuana alone does not lead to a suspension.
With the legalization and all the cross-border travel for teams, the Flames held a meeting with their players on Tuesday that mostly had to do with common sense (No, you can’t show up to work high, guys). The league also sent out a memo to players concerning Canada’s law change.
Weight off shoulders
Anders Bjork had only played three games this season without scoring, but the goal he notched on Saturday lifted a weight off his shoulders.
“Definitely. It’s been a long time since I scored,” said Bjork, whose previous NHL goal came Dec. 7, 2017. “You go through slumps, everyone does. But the first one of the season is just nice because feel like ‘OK, it’s possible. I can score.’ Now hopefully I can build off it and not worry about scoring and just play my game.” ...
Former Bruin Austin Czarnik has found a home on the right wing of the fourth line with the Flames, and had a goal and two assists going into last night. He talked with the B’s about re-upping — he could have been a decent candidate for the third-line center position — but in the end he figured a move was in his best interest.
“(Re-signing) was always in the back of my head, but I just wanted different, a new beginning, a fresh slate somewhere else. So that’s why I ultimately chose (to sign in Calgary),” said Czarnik . ...
With Tuukka Rask going in Calgary, Jaroslav Halak will get the nod tonight in Edmonton.