There is major controversy in the United States on whether or not marijuana should be legalized or not. Many states have already either legalized it for recreational use, medical use, or both. Of course for medical use, one must acquire a medical card or prescription from their doctor before they may purchase the medicine. Recently, marijuana is becoming a popular topic in the world of sports as an alternative medicine to treat pains and injuries. However, in the NFL marijuana is a banned substance even if the state you play for has laws allowing the legal usage of the drug. Marijuana should be dropped from the NFL’s banned substance list for it has a variety of medical benefits for injuries and diseases players suffer, is significantly less addictive than pain killers, and is statistically a much safer alternative.  

There is a wide range of medical benefits that marijuana serves when treating certain injuries and diseases. It’s not just a plant that people use to experience a high, there is complex science behind how the chemicals in the body and in the plant interact to help create its effects. Marijuana is made up of five hundred chemical compounds that can be both psychoactive or therapeutic. All of these compounds mix with the chemicals in the body to allow one to feel the effects of marijuana. Although there are hundreds of chemicals, they all fall under one category: cannabinoids. There are only three major cannabinoids that are relevant in relieving pain from the injuries or symptoms players experience. The first one on the list is THC or Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinal. This chemical is considered the most psychoactive compound found in the plant that generates a euphoric state for the user. This chemical has fewer medical benefits than others, but still serves as a medicine. Players will likely not be mainly consuming THC, for that is what creates the “high”, and that is not the point of promoting marijuana’s usage in the NFL. When consumed however, its euphoric upbringing can allow patients to temporarily forget about their symptoms (Martin ch.2). Although THC’s psychoactive effects is a large reason for the illegality of marijuana, its medical benefits are beyond belief and are unfortunately suppressed (Epstein). 

Next on the list, and most important, is CBD or cannabidol. It is the second most abundant chemical found in marijuana, yet serves the greatest medical benefits. CBD alone can “reduce anxiety and panic attacks, as well as serve as an anti-inflammatory, sedative, and a neuroprotective agent” (Martin ch.2). This is where marijuana can come into play as a main medicine for current and retired players in the NFL. Every play, every hit, every down, players are required to bang bodies or heads. That’s just how the game is played, even though that’s not the main objective. This repetition of heads and bodies banging together results in minor to very serious injuries. The medical effects of CBD can help with the swelling of muscle tissue and more importantly, the swelling of the brain. Concussions are a very common injury in the NFL yet very serious. CBD can significantly help reduce the swelling of the brain and ultimately reduce side effects. Not only will the CBD help treat the symptoms of the concussion, it is scientifically proven that it has neuroprotective agents that could potentially reduce one’s risk of getting a concussion after a blow to the head. If scientists can figure out a way to concentrate enough CBD into a pill that players could take before games, the amount of concussions could be reduced dramatically. Many players who are retired from the NFL that went through many years of these head injuries now suffer a serious disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Others suffer different life threatening diseases like Parkinson’s or chronic migraines (Kounang). CBD does not have to be only used to treat current player’s injuries, former players who suffer these diseases may use this as a safer alternative from the intense prescriptions they might already be taking. If these former players live in a state where medical marijuana is legal it is to their own benefit to utilize the opportunity to use a safe and effective drug.

The third chemical is known as a terpenoid. This chemical is only relevant for it determines the experience that the THC promotes. THC either has a relaxing, energizing, or bubbly effect and that is decided by the amount and type of terpenoid that is in the plant. Because terpenoid’s distinguish the effects marijuana creates, different terpenoid’s can be used for different patients. For example, a player who is struggling with sleep due to severe pain, a bud with a high amount of a relaxing terpenoid can be prescribed to help him fall asleep. When all three compounds are used together, the medical benefits are tremendous (Martin ch.2). Marijuana has great potential in the medical field to revolutionize the treatments patients are given.

One of the other main reasons marijuana should be dropped from the banned substance list is that it would be the safest and least addictive source of medicine to treat players accordingly. In today’s treatments for player’s injuries, they are fed opioid pain killers to get them back onto the field as soon as possible. In an interview with former NFL player, Eugene Monroe, he states "your job automatically gives you the symptom of chronic pain… You're hitting each other as hard as possible every single day in practice. Your body is in pain a lot of time" (Kounang). Many advocates of marijuana in the NFL, like Monroe, have great concern over using the pain medications they are given due to the likelihood of addiction and overdose (Belson). On September 8th, 2012, former superstar safety for the New York Giants, Tyler Sash, was found dead due to an overdose on two types of pain killers. He had a prescription to the pain killers due to his chronic shoulder pain and dislocated shoulder he suffered while playing football (Dinich). This story is just one of many and should not be taken lightly. Addiction to these prescribed pills is a very serious and dangerous problem that cannot remain forgotten. With the number of injuries players suffer and the amount of drugs they are given to get better quicker, addiction is inevitable. There have been countless lawsuits filed by former players that “all 32 NFL teams allegedly pushed the use of painkillers on their players” (Chiari). There have been numerous recorded deaths due to addiction to pain killers and part of that statistic includes NFL players (Chiari). Because of vast amounts of players being addictive to pain killers, many are forced to go through harm reduction. The idea of harm reduction is a way to slowly ease players from their addiction to reduce the serious effects withdrawal has on them. Players are incrementally administered less and less amounts of the drugs in hopes to rid them from their addiction (Bennett). By introducing marijuana as a primary medicine for players, they would not have to go through this painful process. 

Marijuana is a non-addictive substance and does not cause withdrawal after long term use, and therefore is the perfect alternative (Epstein). I have witnessed myself how marijuana is a better and safer alternative. My father was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo various treatments. He lost his appetite, and was in serious pain. Doctors initially gave pain killers to cope with the pain he was experiencing and they obviously worked due to the intensity of the drug. After a month of using the pain killers, he decided to stop, knowing that it can have negative effects on his already ill body. Not even twenty-four hours later, he was experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms including vomiting, sweating, and various others. He went back to the doctor to see if there was an alternative and they proposed CBD pills as well as a pill with a mixture of THC and CBD. From then on he was able to go relax without experiencing pain or withdrawal symptoms. He finally got somewhat of an appetite and was able to put a few pounds back on. Pain killers, although serve to help patients, ultimately hurt them. Marijuana will help put an end to the addiction and overdoses that may occur to players that are given them and hopefully advance medical research for safer medicines.

The primary reason for players being given mainly opioid based painkillers is because there really is no other alternative that is legal. Marijuana is a banned substance in the NFL because "It's an NFL policy and we believe it's the correct policy, for now, in the best interest of our players and the long-term health of our players”, said Roger Goodell, the NFL commissioner (Kounang). Until there is extensive research, this policy will remain the same (Kounang). Although marijuana is not allowed in the NFL, players still end up using the substance. That being said, they are risking their careers by doing so. Players get three freebees when it comes to failing drug tests. If caught the fourth time, the initial offense is a multiple game suspension. Second offense is an entire season suspension. If caught a third time, the player will be dropped from the team and put on free agency with the probability of never getting picked up by another team which ultimately destroys their career (Benes). Players wouldn’t have to risk their careers from a simple wrong choice by using a harmless drug if the NFL would allow for its usage.

There are many people on the business side of the NFL that are very against allowing their players to use the substance. This is because they believe that when players abuse the plant, they may lose their motivation and get out of shape. This is due to the publicity marijuana gets. It is looked at as a drug that makes you only want to eat, sleep, and sit on the couch. However, this could not be more inaccurate. Many people use the drug to help with their work by taking advantage of the creative effects it produces. Others use it to treat symptoms for injuries or their disease. Josh Gordon is a primary example of how marijuana does not affect how players preform. After the 2013 season, Gordon failed his fourth drug test and was suspended for almost the entire season. He did make poor choices but that is because of the crew he hung around with, not marijuana. In that 2013 season, Gordon put up 1,646 receiving yards from 87 receptions and 9 touchdowns. Clearly during that season, which he was caught but not penalized for smoking pot, he put up dominant numbers. Because of his suspension, there was not a wide receiver that their quarterback, Jason Cambell, could throw to. This ultimately resulted in an underperforming season for the Browns (Willens). Suspending players for marijuana can conclusively ruin team’s records. Marijuana has had a bad rap for a long time now and as long as it remains known as the “devil’s lettuce”, the NFL will never drop the substance from the banned substance list for they will likely be criticized. Unless there was a policy that allows for monitored marijuana usage.

There is a potential beneficial policy that could be implemented. Like in many states, one must acquire a medical card before being able to purchase the drug. This policy can easily be used in the NFL. Players must first have a reason to use the drug. If they qualify for the medicine, then they will be given the prescription. Otherwise, players not eligible for the drug will still be tested and if they fail, there will still be consequences. Once given the prescription, their usage will be monitored by the team doctor. Marijuana’s three main chemicals treat different symptoms, so a player who is having back spasms is not going to be prescribed a particular plant with high THC levels. They will give him a plant with mostly CBD for that is the chemical that treats inflammation. For a concussion, players will be given a plant with around seventy percent CBD and thirty percent THC (Martin ch.2). This combination will help with brain inflammation and the pain that the concussion brings. A policy like this is what needs to be implemented so players do not have to worry about becoming addicted to a medicine and get back on the field stronger than ever. 

Another ironic topic of discussion for the general legalization of marijuana, is the idea that alcohol is legal when marijuana is not. Excessive alcohol use has led to 88,000 deaths per year. Marijuana has led to zero deaths per year. Is this a coincidence? Absolutely not! Alcohol by definition is a poisonous substance that one drinks to enlighten their mood for it floods the brain with excessive amounts of dopamine, the chemical that creates happiness. Marijuana does the same thing, but a much lesser level. If too much alcohol is consumed, death is inevitable. If too much marijuana is consumed, you just will be very high and likely overwhelm yourself into thinking you’re dying when really it’s all in your head (Benes). NFL players, in their post season, go out to parties and drink alcohol because they are 21 and its legal to do so. Why can players be allowed to consume something that harms your body and not get in any trouble, but when they consume something that scientifically has medical benefits, they risk their careers (CBS Sports). 

The evolution of marijuana is slowly but surely progressing. There are countless medical teams researching the effects it has on the body and how it interacts with the chemicals in our body to help heal. I am aware that marijuana is still illegal in most states, but if the nation comes together and creates a new law that has limitations on its usage, I believe there can be a variety of positive outcomes. In a recent social poll in the United States, they found that nearly half of the population has tried marijuana at least once, NFL players included. Because the public view and laws dealing with marijuana usage are changing, NFL executive owners are thankfully starting to hop on board as well. Although marijuana is not fully allowed in the NFL, policies have changed for the better. Players are able to test positive for marijuana four times before being suspended by the league. This policy is very recent and is a good sign in hopes for full legalization in the league. However, most of the drug tests that many players fail are not for medical purposes. They simply use the drug for social purposes whenever they are with their good friends that use the drug (Belson). 

In perspective, marijuana is clearly the safest, least addictive, and just as effective as the deadly prescription drugs players are given. With the proper research and funds, marijuana could very well be the future of medicine in the NFL and in the general medical field. Thankfully, publicity has slightly eased up on the exaggerated negative components of marijuana and will hopefully speak of the positive elements in the future. It is evident that the NFL sees potential in this elegant plant and hopefully will make further changes to their policy in the near future.
