NFL expected to revamp its marijuana policy in the league’s new drug agreement

There has been a lot of debate over the NFL’s policy against marijuana, especially with two teams in states that legalized it. There has been argument for the medicinal benefits of marijuana for players, including it being considered a safer alternative to pain killers.

Well the NFL is reevaluating the policy, including lessening penalties, according to ESPN:

"A source told ESPN.com on Tuesday that the renegotiation of the drug policy, which has been going on since 2011 and includes testing for HGH, also will significantly increase the threshold for a positive marijuana test and reduce the punishments for violations involving that drug.The source said the NFL’s policy on marijuana is outdated, pointing out that WADA has a higher threshold for a positive test than the NFL currently does, and in need of updating."

Unfortunately it might be too late for some players like Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Brown, but it is a big move. The players have wanted the medicinal benefits explored and even some coaches have supported it.

“We have to continue to explore and compete to find ways that are going to make our game a better game and take care of our players in the best way possible,” Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said, via CBS Sports.”The fact that it’s in the world of medicine is obviously something [that Commissioner Roger Goodell] realizes and him making the expression that we need to follow the information and the research absolutely I’m in support of. Regardless of what other stigmas may be involved, I think we have to do this because the world of medicine is trying to do the exact same thing and figure it out and they’re coming to some conclusions.”