The use of medicinal marijuana has been a hot topic amongst NFL players who deal with constant injury. Now the discussion is shifting to the NBA thanks to one of the league's best coaches.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr admitted to using marijuana while dealing with chronic back pain.

Kerr underwent two operations on his back in 2015 and missed the first four months of the 2015-16 season. 

After finding no answer through traditional pain management methods, the 51-year-old turned to marijuana.

"I guess maybe I can even get in some trouble for this, but I've actually tried it twice during the last year and a half, when I've been going through this chronic pain that I've been dealing with," Kerr told The Warriors Insider Podcast on Friday.

"[After] a lot of research, a lot of advice from people and I have no idea if maybe I would have failed a drug test. I don’t even know if I'm subject to a drug test or any laws from the NBA."

"I know enough, especially over the last couple years, having gone through my own bout with chronic pain, I know enough about this stuff – Vicodin is not good for you.

"It's way worse for you than pot, especially if you're looking for a painkiller and you're talking about medicinal marijuana, the different strains what they’re able to do with it as a pain reliever.

"I think it's only a matter of time before the NBA and NFL and Major League Baseball realize that…"

He acknowledged the perception that "over-the-counter drugs are fine, but pot is bad," but strongly advocated for a more progressive policy in the NFL.

"I would hope," Kerr added. "Especially for these NFL guys, who are basically involved in a car wreck every Sunday – and maybe four days later, the following Thursday, which is another insane thing the NFL does – I would hope that league will come to its senses and institute a different sort of program where they can help these guys get healthier rather than getting hooked on these painkillers."