Despite Widespread Marijuana Legalization, the NFL Refuses to Change Drug Policy

At the beginning of this month, ESPN revealed the results of a survey that sought to break down NFL players’ thoughts on medical marijuana and prescription painkillers. Polling a total of 226 players, the multimedia giant pieced together a comprehensive medical marijuana and painkillers study for their magazine’s November 14 “Pain Issue.” Fittingly, after this week’s voting, medical marijuana is now an option for patients in 28 states. Even more significant: eight states outright allow marijuana for any use, including recreation.

Despite the public’s fast-growing support for widespread legalization, the NFL is still resisting change. As Sports Illustrated reports, the NFL Players Association and the NFL will not be seeking to enact any “immediate” revision to their drug policies. Even if an NFL athlete lives their life in a state that allows for medicinal use of marijuana, you can still face suspension or fines for positive or “missed” drug tests. ESPN’s recent survey found that 67 percent of NFL players don’t think it’s difficult to “beat” their workforce’s drug-testing system, so the NFL’s official stance might not have that much of an impact on players’ behaviors and attitudes in the end.