Kerr: Marijuana 'a much better option' than some prescription drugs

California officially legalized the recreational use of marijuana on New Year's Day, and one prominent state resident is pleased.

"I'm a proponent of it," Kerr said Tuesday, according to The Mercury News' Logan Murdock. "I do feel strongly that (marijuana) is a much better option than some of the prescription drugs and I know that it's helping a lot of people, which is great."

Kerr himself admitted to using cannabis as a painkiller during the 2015-16 season, when complications from back surgery limited him to coaching 39 games in the Warriors' record-setting 73-win campaign. At the time, Kerr said the NBA should look into allowing the medicinal use of marijuana, though he added that it hadn't been effective for him personally.

This past October, he conceded that the league also needs to consider its image when it comes to the issue.

"The perception of the fans is important," Kerr told Murdock. "In terms of selling our business, but the health of the players should be the most important thing."