Goodell does what the owners tell him. The owners would have to agree on eliminating the weed testing. Goodell can't make that decision by himself.
The issue is that the owners never want to give up anything for "free". They'll want to get something back from the players in exchange. The owners should request that the players go back to having more padded practices. Those were significantly reduced in the past CBA. In reality, the owners will want something back related to money.
The current CBA is for 10 years and started in 2011. Normally, the owners would probably like to hold on to the weed testing until then because it gives them leverage; however, I don't think this issue can wait that long. Now that weed is legal in many states, the players are getting more and more irritated about the testing.
As I stated in another thread, the current AG has publicly hinted towards cracking down on the states where its legal. The President stated in his campaign that it should be a state decision but we all know sometimes things change after an election.
Regardless, this might give owners against overturning the rule some leverage. If the federal government is publicly hinting on starting to enforce our federal marijuana drugs again then it might not be the right time.
Regardless, I don't view this as much as an actual legal issue as common sense. Drinking and driving is illegal as well and is a problem in the NFL but I don't see the NFL pushing to install interlock devices on player vehicles. It's one thing if it's a PED but it seems a little far reaching for any employer, much less an employer that relies as heavily on their employees as the NFL, to make people pee in the cup to make sure they aren't smoking any joints.
If you get caught and face charges, that's on you and the NFL has a right to suspend you.
