NFL and NFLPA joint agreement on pain management, potentially including marijuana

CouchCoach

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Considering the national stats on how people feel about marijuana, they might get the pain management issue passed without allowing recreational use but who's going to monitor that? What players aren't hurting by the halfway point of the season? The long snappers will get scripts for it, if they want it. And if it helps and keeps them off prescription painkillers, how can that hurt?

There is no definitive or conclusive stance from the medical community on the effects of marijuana and all they care about is the medicinal use. You won't find many endorsements for the AMA about anything recreational except abstinence. However, a lot of people using it for medicinal purposes are improving their quality of life.

Say they do stop testing for it and hire shrinks that can write scripts, is that going to help states with bans still in place? How is a shrink going to write a script in Texas for marijuana? Not aware of any stipulations for professional athletes in this state. And some of the "legalized" for medicinal purposes laws are very different from state to state.

As far as how this helps Gregory if they take action, that is an unknown but from what I know about him, he's been self-medicating for some mental issues so he might get a pass or they might say he broke the law when it was a law.
 

RoboQB

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It could be anything. It could be a player driving too fast and crashing into another driver, which results in loss of life, while under the influence of weed. It could be the Players Union that sues the NFL at some point, if studies show that there are, in fact negative effects of smoking weed. It could bea number of unintended consequences and we all know people. They sue over anything they think they can make a buck on.

I'll just point out that people on weed do not drive fast. If anything, they are way too slow on the road.

If we are concerned about the effects of weed, we should weigh that against the effects of the painkillers
prescribed to these athletes by team doctors and approved by the league.
 

Aerolithe_Lion

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only 7 teams out of 32 are in illegal states.

And?

All it takes is 1, and the whole thing is moot. Texas doesn’t even have reduced laws toward possession. They still treat it like a street drug. Most states have somewhat decriminalized it even if it’s still not fully legal. But there are a few states that probably aren’t going to change any time soon.

Think about that. It is fully legal less than 100 miles north in Colorado. It’s still a FELONY in Texas if you’re caught with too much. Convicted Felon because you were born in the wrong state.
 
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ABQCOWBOY

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Ah... you bring up the heavy machinery argument.
First: I don't know how much more they can relax them... they are pretty lax, but they are obviously already looking into it, aren't they? Not us, them. Why do you think they are doing that?
Second: NFL players aren't building things that could harm people. Sure, they can get high and drive off a cliff, or through a school, but that's on them still. Not the NFL and nobody will win that fight in court.
They have good lawyers that they pay a lot of money too.

Are we sure? I mean, a player kills a person while being high and if you are a smart lawyer, do you go after the player or do you name the NFL for subscribing to the policy that says Weed has medical benefits and aids in pain management? I mean, that lawsuit practically writes itself.
 

Corso

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Are we sure? I mean, a player kills a person while being high and if you are a smart lawyer, do you go after the player or do you name the NFL for subscribing to the policy that says Weed has medical benefits and aids in pain management? I mean, that lawsuit practically writes itself.
You see, I'm not talking about that.
I'm talking about if they simply relaxed the testing policy further.
Like they only test once every 2 years now. If found positive, you get 2 more chances before being put into protocol, or something like that.

Good stuff though! Food for thought for sure.
 

Ranched

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Society sunk into the toilet when it legalized beer and alcohol. The number one date rape substance on the face of the planet. I dont smoke or drink but still hate alcohol more than cannabis.
Both are very addictive.
Wonder how/if this affects Randy Gregory and his suspension?
Gregory, 26, has been suspended by the NFL four times since draft day in 2015. He missed all but two games in 2016 and the entire 2017 season because of suspension. As per media he's in a treatment program, yet once again.

The Cowboys were aware of his ongoing issues with mental illness & drug abuse, but yet signed him till 2020. What good is an employee if they can't work/perform?! Gregory only played 16 regular games since 2015. They need to cut ties and take the loss.
 

ABQCOWBOY

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I'll just point out that people on weed do not drive fast. If anything, they are way too slow on the road.

If we are concerned about the effects of weed, we should weigh that against the effects of the painkillers
prescribed to these athletes by team doctors and approved by the league.

Painkillers are labeled with warnings that specifically spell out when and when not to use them. Clearly labeled, in most cases, don't drive while under the influence. I've never seen any dime bag with that kind of warning on it, have you? This is all about steps to protect the league. This is not about making weed legal because players like to stone up. I mean, come on. That might be why players want this to happen and I'll even go so far as to say that it probably is why but, the league doesn't care about that. They are in the business of protecting the product and you can bet that anything done, in the way of allowances are towards that cause.

BTW, you should really check out studies relating to the sharp increase in accidents relating to Marijuana usage. You don't have to be going 120 to cause a fatal accident. Believe it or not, you can actually be going 30 in a 55 zone and cause just as fatal an accident.
 

Diehardblues

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Again, fans are the key here. If you look at it from that perspective, the majority of your audience live in States that do not support legalization, at this point.
And the NFL audience is key here. It’s not like the NBA audience for example which is younger on cable TV later at night. NFL is prime time networks on Sunday afternoon and night with a much more older and conservative viewership.
 

ABQCOWBOY

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And the NFL audience is key here. It’s not like the NBA audience for example which is mostly younger on cable TV Later at night. NFL is prime time networks on Sunday afternoon and night with a much more older and conservative viewership.

Correct.
 

EST_1986

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Again, fans are the key here. If you look at it from that perspective, the majority of your audience live in States that do not support legalization, at this point.
Im sure fans would want the Josh Gordon's of the world on the field as it makes the product better. On *** backward hillbillies are against cannabis at this point.
 

EST_1986

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Painkillers are labeled with warnings that specifically spell out when and when not to use them. Clearly labeled, in most cases, don't drive while under the influence. I've never seen any dime bag with that kind of warning on it, have you? This is all about steps to protect the league. This is not about making weed legal because players like to stone up. I mean, come on. That might be why players want this to happen and I'll even go so far as to say that it probably is why but, the league doesn't care about that. They are in the business of protecting the product and you can bet that anything done, in the way of allowances are towards that cause.

BTW, you should really check out studies relating to the sharp increase in accidents relating to Marijuana usage. You don't have to be going 120 to cause a fatal accident. Believe it or not, you can actually be going 30 in a 55 zone and cause just as fatal an accident.
251637dcaa21a21851a81cf42fb796ce_908x700.jpg


Last I checked the pills sold on the street also don't come with labels.
 

GenoT

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The NBA is almost blowing off MJ and the Feds are giving no shiv about it.
Not exactly true.

First off, compare the demographics of NBA fans and NFL fans. Then consider which fan-base is least likely to have a sizable segment of its fans turned off by players using and possibly getting busted for pot.

That the NBA takes a more relaxed approach to policing MJ doesn’t mean they are in any way encouraging their players to skirt the law. If a b-baller gets busted for pot, he’ll be treated the same under the LAW as would an NFLer.

The difference is, the NBA doesn’t feel the same pressure to overly demonize MJ issues as might the NFL — which has a comparatively more conservative fan-base.
 

ABQCOWBOY

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Im sure fans would want the Josh Gordon's of the world on the field as it makes the product better. On *** backward hillbillies are against cannabis at this point.

"Backward Hillbillies" is overly harsh IMO but yeah, if that's how we are going to roll on this, then yes, Backward Hillbillies do make up a larger core of NFL fans, then do proponents of weed, in theory.
 

ABQCOWBOY

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251637dcaa21a21851a81cf42fb796ce_908x700.jpg


Last I checked the pills sold on the street also don't come with labels.

Exactly. This is why the introduction of the medical profession is key here. Scripts are regulated and have legal protections built in. This is, IMO, the reason the NFL is considering the topic but I don't know that to be a fact. That's just a guess on my part.
 

Corso

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Not exactly true.

First off, compare the demographics of NBA fans and NFL fans. Then consider which fan-base is least likely to have a sizable segment of its fans turned off by players using and possibly getting busted for pot.

That the NBA takes a more relaxed approach to policing MJ doesn’t mean they are in any way encouraging their players to skirt the law. If a b-baller gets busted for pot, he’ll be treated the same under the LAW as would an NFLer.

The difference is, the NBA doesn’t feel the same pressure to overly demonize MJ issues as might the NFL — which has a comparatively more conservative fan-base.
I didn't say the NBA was. I was saying that they can further relax the testing policies and the government isn't going to come after the NFL.
 

RoboQB

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Painkillers are labeled with warnings that specifically spell out when and when not to use them. Clearly labeled, in most cases, don't drive while under the influence. I've never seen any dime bag with that kind of warning on it, have you? This is all about steps to protect the league. This is not about making weed legal because players like to stone up. I mean, come on. That might be why players want this to happen and I'll even go so far as to say that it probably is why but, the league doesn't care about that. They are in the business of protecting the product and you can bet that anything done, in the way of allowances are towards that cause.

BTW, you should really check out studies relating to the sharp increase in accidents relating to Marijuana usage. You don't have to be going 120 to cause a fatal accident. Believe it or not, you can actually be going 30 in a 55 zone and cause just as fatal an accident.

Okay, but you said "driving too fast" in the previous post. That is what I commented on.
You moved the goalpost on that specific comment.

I agree that most will look to abuse it, if passed. Opiods, labels be damned, are far more dangerous in the
long term than pot. However, I don't see a team physican handing out dime bags any time soon.
 

ABQCOWBOY

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Okay, but you said "driving too fast" in the previous post. That is what I commented on.
You moved the goalpost on that specific comment.

I agree that most will look to abuse it, if passed. Opiods, labels be damned, are far more dangerous in the
long term than pot. However, I don't see a team physican handing out dime bags any time soon.

OK, but I feel as if it's fairly obvious that an accident can happen in any number of ways with any number of circumstances. You wanna say I'm moving the goal post, that's fine. I'm gonna say that at some point, allowance has to be made for common sense. If you don't like speeding then think about it and apply reason. Studies definitely show that driving while under the influence of weed definitely is risky and the numbers are increasing, showing that it does impair you.
 
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