NFL and players' union to study potential use of marijuana for pain management

[JonLP24]

The NFL and the NFL Players Association agreed for the first time to cooperate in studying the potential use of marijuana as a pain management tool for players, representing a possible shift in the league’s approach to an issue on which several players have been outspoken.

The exploration will take place as part of two new medical committees formed by the league and union that will provide recommendations on key medical issues. This also will include a review of teams’ policies and practices for the use of prescription medication by players.

In forming the committees, the NFL and NFLPA are addressing topics that were previously divisive for them. In recent years, some players have expressed frustration over the continued punishment of players who test positive for marijuana, even if it’s being used to help manage pain, at a time when more states are legalizing the drug.

“I think it’s a proud day for the NFL and the NFLPA to come together on these issues in a very public way,” Allen Sills, the league’s chief medical officer, said in a phone interview. “I think it demonstrates the spirit of cooperation we have around our health and safety issues. … Both of these committees are about providing the best health care we can to players.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/beta.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/05/20/nfl-players-union-study-potential-use-marijuana-pain-management/%3foutputType=amp

[Wounded Bear]

1. Probably a good idea, finally...

I can't see any way it has any PED effects, quite the contrary, really. If anything, it takes the 'edge' off that players need to play aggressively.

It should not be on Schedule 1 anyway, and finally states are realizing this and moving to decriminalize it. For the most part, it is not more destructive than alcohol use.

[JonLP24]

2. From watching Outside the Lines

The big concern they have is if a player uses it for pain on Friday how well will they play when Sunday comes around to see if it negatively impacts performance.

Cannabis certainly kept Josh Gordon off the field but when he is on it he played great. Randy Moss smoked cannabis before HS game and still was one of the best prospects in the country.

Probably not a good example but Aaron Hernandez was able to use cannabis without getting caught and he was still a good player.

It can't be worse than drinking though. I know it was always more difficult to do running PT in the Army after a night of drinking.

[Blue_true]

4. I mentioned Gotdon in my post. He got nailed several times for Pot.

His onfield performance never seemed to suffer. Patriot haters may loath hearing this, but look like the Patriots may have outsmarted all the other teams again. The NFL can't allow controlled use of Pot and keep Gordon and other players suspended. I bet the Patriots are now looking over the NFL substance suspension list for other key players that had Pot suspensions.

[Blue_true]

3. Hmmmm, the rich get richer. This could help the Patriots bigtime.

Gordon has been hit at least once for smoking Pot and testing positive. If the NFL is now open to studying Pot's use, suspensions of players that tested positive for it may be lifted, allowing them to play full seasons.