Bill Walton Marijuana Advocate? Former NBA Star Calls War On Drugs 'Absolute Failure' During ESPN Telecast [VIDEO]

There are certain topics that will always get the majority of people riled up. Politics is probably the most famous hot button issue, and religion undoubtedly is right there also. But a growing subject of debate around the country involves the use of recreational drugs and the legalization of marijuana.

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As any basketball fan probably already knows, for NBA player Bill Walton is what most would consider a "free spirit," and he has referenced - although never admitted to - using recreational drugs like marijuana in the past. But recently, he took things a step further during the broadcast of a game between Washington and Oregon.

According to SB Nation, Walton and broadcast partner Dave Pasch were discussing Robert Upshaw, who was recently dismissed from the Washington basketball team. Upshaw is a seven-footer and an NBA prospect that was a key part of the team's success on the court.

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While Upshaw was officially dismissed for what the university called a violation of team rules, many have speculated that he failed a drug test after smoking marijuana. If that is indeed the case, then Walton is not okay with it:

"I talk every week and complain about the NCAA not modernizing the rules. That's another rule they've got to modernize. This whole war on drugs has been an absolute failure across the board. Somebody's got to step forward and we're looking for Obama to step up and say, 'Why are we punishing people for things that are legal? Why are people languishing in jail for things that are legal?'"

The argument itself has been around for a while, but this is likely the first time that a broadcaster on a national network (the game was on ESPN 2) made it during a basketball telecast.

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