The subject of medical marijuana usage in the NFL has been a longstanding topic of discussion for the league. Now, according to their Players Association, a group has been designed to mull its presence and other alternative drugs to aid in ailments, USA Today reports.
In an interview with the news site, former defensive end for the New York Jets, Marvin Washington, said he feels like the NFL Players Association will eventually vote in favor of the substance. “The movement is happening,” he said. “They can’t ignore this, when 60 percent of the country has access to recreational or medical cannabis.”
With this recent election, seven states have voted in favor of marijuana’s recreational use, while a total of 28 states have legalized the drug for medicinal purposes. But a few head honchos within the NFL are still weary about marijuana’s presence. In a former interview with Art Rooney II, Pittsburgh Steelers president, he said its passage won’t be in the near future.
“The culture in our country has changed,” he said to USA Today Sports. “It’s legalized here and there, decriminalized in a lot of places. They may not take it as seriously. But our rules haven’t changed. Maybe someday, but not anytime soon.”
Still, the NFL remains adamant on its ban, and if players are caught, mainly through mandatory drug tests, they can face suspension or get fined.