Marijuana: The Next Big Headline Facing the NFL?

Photo from Nathan Shively

The National Football League has a marijuana image problem, and, no, it has nothing to do with Laremy Tunsil’s gas mask Twitter blunder.

For years, the League has taken a stringent stance on not allowing player marijuana use, including for medicinal purposes. The original, collectively bargained policy (between the NFL and the NFL Players Association) was born out of the 1980s “War on Drugs,” which listed marijuana in the same risk group as heroin.

Fast-forward to 2016, and little has changed in the policy; players are charged varying levels of fines and punishments based on the number of infractions.

However, recent polls highlight shifting viewpoints on medical marijuana use in the United States. On top of that, over 70 percent of NFL teams now play in states that allow medical marijuana after three states passed laws on ballot measures last week.

Another point of contention is the growing issue of opioid addiction across the country. This issue is given a face by personal stories from former NFL players like Eugene Monroe, who was recently featured in ESPN The Magazine. Instead of taking opioids to manage pain, players are looking to marijuana as an alternative to curtail pains and aches from years of playing football.

The combination of shifting beliefs and a growing painkiller epidemic, has created a marijuana image problem for the NFL.

One possible solution: The NFL Players Association announced last week that it is creating a committee to study the use of marijuana as a pain-management option for players.

While this is a step in the right direction for medical marijuana advocates, there is a strong chance no action will be taken until the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) expires in 2020. A change in policy on marijuana use will be a key bargaining chip for the NFL in talks with the Players Association.

Here is where the NFL has an opportunity to do something they have failed at recently: being progressive.

Leagues like the NBA and MLB have taken the lead on a myriad of issues, from free speech and expression to domestic abuse. Most of the NFL’s initiatives occur in response to an issue. Embracing medical marijuana as a pain management tool, in a league that incurs a lot of injuries, would be an easy way to support their players.

Pair this with a strict no-marijuana visibility policy, to avoid any social media storms and foster responsible usage, and the NFL will be ahead of the curve on an issue that is likely to be affirmed in four years, anyways.

By giving up the bargaining chip for the 2020 negotiations, the NFL will show genuine goodwill for player health, and, for the first time in a while, be a leader in the sports world on a major health issue.

The NFL shouldn’t pass the opportunity to put this one in the win column. What are your thoughts on this issue? Share with us in the comments below.

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