How Can These Guys Fail a Drug Test?

[northerncowboynation]

Evidently, for NFL players, it is harder than I realized to smoke marijuana and not get caught.

Either that, or it is utterly amazing how careless and unprofessional some of these guys can be.


At least that's my current working theory after several players, including most notably Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson and Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain, were suspended recently under the NFL's substance abuse policy.

Without getting bogged down into too much minutiae, here are the rules: Players get tested once a year for "street drugs" (including marijuana) and that test is in May or June, during the team's Organized Team Activities. A positive test would place the player in the league's program, which entails more frequent testing and some meetings. If the player fulfills his requirements in the program, he needs to test positive two more times to get suspended. If the NFL's medical director believes the player hasn't adequately participated in the program, a second positive test could trigger a four-game suspension like the ones that Richardson and McClain got.

There are a couple key points that need to be reiterated:

1) NFL players only get tested once a year for substances and they KNOW when it will take place.

2) Even if a player tests positive once, as long as he does what the league asks, there won't be any serious repercussions unless he tests positive TWO MORE TIMES.

Let's start with the first point, which is really the most important one. Everybody knows when the test is coming. Every year. To use some Wellsian (Ted, that is) terms, I was "generally aware" during my time as a player of several teammates who "more probable than not" smoked marijuana on a fairly regular basis.

How do I know? They talked about it, hinted at it and even smelled like it from time to time. Yet none of those guys that I remember, with the notable exception of one after we were no longer teammates, ever had any issue with the NFL's substance abuse policy, which is an intelligence test as much as anything. But don't just take my word for it.

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/135008328/sheldon-richardson-rolando-mcclain-suspended

Ok so they know when the first test will be. If they test positive once, do they know when the next two will be. Lots of factors affect how long it takes for THC to clear the system, one being are you a chronic user or an occasional user. I know that is no excuse for dumb but chronic users can test positive for THC up to a week or more after last using. McClain is not a great example, the dude had mental problems. So does Gregory. Did it affect their ability to reason and make good decisions. No doubt bipolar has some impact on decision making. I know that from first hand experience.

You're right though, for most there should be no reason for testing positive

 

[glimmerman]

Not in Texas. It will be the last state I’m afraid.

I do think that if it’s federally legal or ok then the rest of the states will make it medically legal at least. To much tax money involved for the politicians to pass it up.

 

[glimmerman]

Ok so they know when the first test will be. If they test positive once, do they know when the next two will be. Lots of factors affect how long it takes for THC to clear the system, one being are you a chronic user or an occasional user. I know that is no excuse for dumb but chronic users can test positive for THC up to a week or more after last using. McClain is not a great example, the dude had mental problems. So does Gregory. Did it affect their ability to reason and make good decisions. No doubt bipolar has some impact on decision making. I know that from first hand experience.

You're right though, for most there should be no reason for testing positive

They should know if they fail once they will be tested again soon. And for at least the next 30 days. As you stop they will see the levels lowering on there system. It’s up to them to either leave them in the program for another month or release them after the 30 days. It’s up to them to quit. I am guessing when they have a mental problem it’s hard for them when they find pot works for them..

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

You just wait. Believe me they are building stats. Someone will get into a wreck and kill someone and they will have weed in there system. Blame it on weed. You can blame anything you want.

The bottom line is simple. No one made them drink and drive, they chose to. No one made them do anything. It’s excuses and ways to push blame off of themselves for doing what they want to but shouldn’t. We all have our weaknesses.

I do have a question for anyone that knows. If weed is legal in your state can you smoke at the stadiums or at the games....

So why is alchohol acceptable when it does damage to your body than weed? Why isn’t it a bannable substance? $$$$$$$

 

[northerncowboynation]

I don’t know if there’s any statistics out there about smoking weed and driving. I’m sure there are some accidents to blame. You listed a good one. But I don’t think there’s tons and not anywhere close to driving while drunk. JMHO.

Have you ever smoked weed and driven high? I have and there is no doubt in my mind that it slowed down my reaction time. Zero doubt. Yes, driving while drunk is worse BUT combine a drink and a joint. Maybe some react differently. I don't smoke weed anymore, it got too strong with all the breeding. In Canada, today, you can buy strains specific for needs. Isn't that wonderful. I'm wondering when the pot aisle will open up at the grocery store. It is certainly going to be available at some liquor outlets too. Big $$ for the government. same as big pharma hire lobbyists to lobby your senators. Follow the $$

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Meh
Smoking it... none
Driving while under the influence.... probably tons,
I know it slowed my reactions and led to (very silly) distractions.
"red hot embers have popped out & are in between my legs & burning!"
"I know there's gotta be some Funyun's on the backseat floor"

I’m referencing at games though. We’ve seen alcohol end up killing people and I’m not even talking about driving while drunk. We’ve seen at games where fans get liquor courage and get violent.

 

[glimmerman]

So why is alchohol acceptable when it does damage to your body than weed? Why isn’t it a bannable substance? $$$$$$$

It used to be. Once they figure out how to properly tax it then it will be legalized. You know the politicians don’t want to miss out on that money. As it gets more accepted it will happen.

 

[boysfaninMI]

I love me some sativa.

Does an excellent job of organizing my thoughts.

Much better than the anti depressants I was on when I was younger.

I'm an Indica guy myself but also just picked up a nice hybrid (65% Indica/35% Sativa) that I have high hopes for. (see what I did there?) But seriously, it's legal in Michigan now and I can get by on $100 a month or less. It's so damn potent that you only need a puff or two (literally) But yeah, I still take a low dose of anti-depressants but the cannabis really takes some of the side effects of the anti anxiety drugs away. (stomach discomfort/nausea, etc...)

 

[tyke1doe]

Marijuana is addictive. Some guys just can't help themselves. They MUST smoke, regardless of the consequences.

 

[northerncowboynation]

I know many young teenagers and 20 somethings who swear up and down that they aren't addicted but the first stop after the paycheck is not food, is not rent, is not gas for the car they don't own, is not tuition for school, is not not savings, it's weed. If the weed isn't addictive, the lifestyle is. Some figure it out eventually

 

[JayFord]

Nfl just like any other job and athletes are just like any other workers

Some are smart
Some don’t care
Some are just outright stupid

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Marijuana is addictive. Some guys just can't help themselves. They MUST smoke, regardless of the consequences.

Naw man.....it’s not that addictive to where you can’t stop smoking for a small period of time.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I know many young teenagers and 20 somethings who swear up and down that they aren't addicted but the first stop after the paycheck is not food, is not rent, is not gas for the car they don't own, is not tuition for school, is not not savings, it's weed. If the weed isn't addictive, the lifestyle is. Some figure it out eventually

Good point but it’s about wanting to feel good. Especially after a long days work.

 

[northerncowboynation]

So why is alchohol acceptable when it does damage to your body than weed? Why isn’t it a bannable substance? $$$$$$$

Because your government makes tax money on alcohol, none to little on weed unless they control the production and it crosses borders. Tequilla doesn't

 

[lostar2009]

They fail because they dope heads

 

[tyke1doe]

Naw man.....it’s not that addictive to where you can’t stop smoking for a small period of time.

So now we're putting degrees on addictions?
Doesn't matter, really. When you need to stop, you can't. That's the problem with addiction in general. It's not the time between as much as that you can't stop when you absolutely need too.
That's why it's called an addiction.

 

[northerncowboynation]

Good point but it’s about wanting to feel good. Especially after a long days work.

I work a long days work. I don't need weed to feel good. Don't get me wrong, I think there is absolutely a place for weed as a chronic pain killer and someone referred to it's use as an anti-psychotic. It is also well used to reduce nausea in cancer patients who are on chemo. Prescribed by some doctors in fact. Hellz bellz fentanyl, which is a prescribed med is killing people. Pot doesn't kill people. Still not a good idea to drive high

 

[glimmerman]

I work a long days work. I don't need weed to feel good. Don't get me wrong, I think there is absolutely a place for weed as a chronic pain killer and someone referred to it's use as an anti-psychotic. It is also well used to reduce nausea in cancer patients who are on chemo. Prescribed by some doctors in fact. Hellz bellz fentanyl, which is a prescribed med is killing people. Pot doesn't kill people. Still not a good idea to drive high

People take medication as prescribed and there is no problem. People abuse medication or addicts that use it that aren’t prescribed it and they die.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I work a long days work. I don't need weed to feel good. Don't get me wrong, I think there is absolutely a place for weed as a chronic pain killer and someone referred to it's use as an anti-psychotic. It is also well used to reduce nausea in cancer patients who are on chemo. Prescribed by some doctors in fact. Hellz bellz fentanyl, which is a prescribed med is killing people. Pot doesn't kill people. Still not a good idea to drive high

Oh I don’t either. That’s why I think there’s s bigger issue when guys would rather smoke weed than play football. It’s more than them just being stupid IMO.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

So now we're putting degrees on addictions?
Doesn't matter, really. When you need to stop, you can't. That's the problem with addiction in general. It's not the time between as much as that you can't stop when you absolutely need too.
That's why it's called an addiction.

I’ve had no problem stopping so I’m not even sure I’d call it a addiction. But everyone is different. It may have different effects for other individuals especially ones that play a violent sport.