Ron Artest talked today about losing weight, saying he hoped to begin the season at 245 pounds, which would be down from the 260 or so he usually carries. He said he had stopped drinking alcohol over the summer, avoiding the carbohydrates in beer. Then out of nowhere, with his conversation with reporters apparently over, Artest added, “Even if they legalize marijuana (with a California ballot initiative Nov. 3), I won’t be smoking marijuana.”