Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders, who has been suspended five games by the league for marijuana use, expressed belief in marijuana's medical benefits.

The 6-11 center, who is out for the season because of an eye injury, said that the stigma of marijuana use is due to its illegal status.

"It's something I feel strongly about, just to let you know something personal about me," Sanders told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel as reported by ESPN.com. "I will deal with the consequences from it.

He added: "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, who has averaged 7.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 23 games this season, said he knows marijuana and its benefits. He also said he's disgusted at the illegal status of marijuana.

"The stigma is that it's illegal. I hate that. Once this becomes legal, this all will go away. But I understand for my work it's a banned substance. I will deal with the consequences and I apologize again to my fans for that."

According to ESPN, Sanders is not the only professional athlete who has supported the legalization of marijuana. In February, New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie suggested that the NFL was wasting its time in prohibiting the drug, while Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said the league should investigate the potential of medicinal marijuana and its benefits to players.

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