PGA Tour Suspends Robert Garrigus for Violating Drug Policy (Marijuana)

[iacas]

9 minutes ago, Slim_Pivot said:

Ok that makes more sense. I misunderstood based on the headline:

”golf digest reports that this is the first public suspension”

I asked, I didn't state…

The PGA Tour put out a statement, but I'm not sure if it was before or after Robert Garrigus told the story himself.

Also, the PGA Tour has suspended people before, but not publicly and for a "drug of abuse."

[3jacker]

Robert Garrigus is expendable for 3 months.

DJ isn't.

That's the logic behind the PGA Tour's decision.

[iacas]

1 minute ago, 3jacker said:

Robert Garrigus is expendable for 3 months.

DJ isn't.

That's the logic behind the PGA Tour's decision.

They suspended DJ for like six months one time, no?

Oh gee:

Dustin Johnson is suspended six months by PGA Tour after testing positive for cocaine use

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The PGA Tour has suspended Dustin Johnson for six months after he tested positive for cocaine, according to a report on Golf.com.

 

[3jacker]

That was before he was a super superstar.

Somewhere between Garrigus-level and where he is now. Now he's like TW was.  A draw, a money-maker.

[Jeremie Boop]

1 minute ago, 3jacker said:

That was before he was a super superstar.

Somewhere between Garrigus-level and where he is now. Now he's like TW was.  A draw, a money-maker.

? From my recollection, he's been a pretty big name for a long time. I've never even heard of Garrigus.

[3jacker]

And even then it wasn't publicly released by the Tour. 

I dunno, maybe none of them are.  All are bad publicity.

[chspeed]

7 hours ago, iacas said:

I asked, I didn't state…

The PGA Tour put out a statement, but I'm not sure if it was before or after Robert Garrigus told the story himself.

Also, the PGA Tour has suspended people before, but not publicly and for a "drug of abuse."

It was the PGA. Since 2018, the new policy is to make these suspensions public. However, they didn't say what drug it was, that was Garrigus.

6 hours ago, 3jacker said:

Robert Garrigus is expendable for 3 months.

DJ isn't.

That's the logic behind the PGA Tour's decision.

I disagree. Policy is bigger than either of them. My guess is that they would treat DJ and RG (that's right, he's RG!) the same.

My beef is that the getting a 3-month suspension for MJ (now I'm on a roll) is out of touch with societal norms.

Edited March 25, 2019 by chspeed

[billchao]

46 minutes ago, chspeed said:

My beef is that the getting a 3-month suspension for MJ (now I'm on a roll) is out of touch with societal norms.

Depends on what society you're talking about. In the USA it is still illegal under federal law, despite some states legalizing it. In Canada it is legal, but good luck if you ever get caught with it in Japan.

It's actually illegal is most countries around the world so the PGA Tour's reasoning is valid.

You can get fired for it at normal jobs so I think a three month suspension is pretty good all things considered.

[colin007]

He's an idiot for getting busted.

It's a dumb rule.

[iacas]

1 minute ago, colin007 said:

It's a dumb rule.

So you'd rather not see golf in the Olympics just so some PGA Tour players can get baked?

[colin007]

Just now, iacas said:

So you'd rather not see golf in the Olympics just so some PGA Tour players can get baked?

I don't care two shits about golf in the Olympics. Just like some of the pros think.

[David in FL]

4 minutes ago, colin007 said:

I don't care two shits about golf in the Olympics. Just like some of the pros think.

I agree 100% about golf in the Olympics.

As a professional golfer, he’s bound by a certain set of rules though. Break those rules and suffer the consequences.

Edited March 26, 2019 by David in FL

[Vinsk]

15 minutes ago, iacas said:

So you'd rather not see golf in the Olympics just so some PGA Tour players can get baked?

Well we sure as hell wouldn’t see RG in the Olympics....lol.

[Buckeyebowman]

Here's what I haven't seen, or read, explained.What is the Tour's level of testing? Back when it seemed like the NFL was busting dudes left and right for reefer, it was discovered that they were much more stringent, as far as ppm/cc of cannabinoids, than the IOC or WADA! There are plenty of folks competing in Olympic and world competitions that have some level of marijuana in their systems, but they don't rise to the level of a violation. 

Also, the NFL finally realized that far from being a PED, marijuana was being used for pain relief rather than the players resorting to opioids. That doesn't explain why Garrigus was doing it, but maybe he has a creaky back, bad shoulder or hip. Who knows! Or maybe he just enjoys it. 

Anyway, 3 months seems a bit strong, but you're right. Nobody will miss Robert Garrigus!

[chspeed]

50 minutes ago, billchao said:

You can get fired for it at normal jobs so I think a three month suspension is pretty good all things considered.

I’m taking about our society, and surprisingly, the US is somewhat progressive when it comes to this issue. Especially for personal use. It’s not like RG was dealing. 😉

What do you consider a “normal” job? Many jobs don’t test for drugs at all, and while some jobs do, and need to, I don’t think they should test for THC unless it’s being used on the job.

Not that it’s relevant, but although I’m pro-legalization, I think it’s a complex issue with a number of downsides.

1 hour ago, David in FL said:

Break those rules and suffer the consequences.

Eh. Rules can change, and many do. Especially if the fans want them to.

[billchao]

9 minutes ago, chspeed said:

What do you consider a “normal” job?

A job that doesn't involve getting paid six to seven or even eight figures a year to play a game. The kind most of us have.

[Vinsk]

8 minutes ago, billchao said:

A job that doesn't involve getting paid six to seven or even eight figures a year to play a game. The kind most of us have.

So will this make it difficult for RG to keep his card regarding playing enough tournaments? 

[chspeed]

5 minutes ago, billchao said:

A job that doesn't involve getting paid six to seven or even eight figures a year to play a game. The kind most of us have.

I think that’s a generalization. I’ve run three businesses, employed hundreds, rarely paid 6 figures, and have never tested anyone for drugs.

That said, I don’t know what many industries do nor what kind of testing happens across the country.

But if companies are testing for THC for jobs in which it does not affect performance (again, unless it’s on the job), I think that should, and will, change.