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Sports and Cannabis , The Evolution of the Game by Mac Mo Green , contributing writer
If you ’ re a sports lover in this day and age , I believe it ’ s safe to say that the former marijuana stigma of the 60s is out the window . Cannabis users are far from lazy , and its consumption helps in so many ways . Some of the world ’ s most talented athletes are admitted cannabis users . The evolution of the game is now .
We are all tired of seeing our favorite athletes benched and fined ( or imprisoned ) for simply using cannabis . This season , the NFL came in with a new collective bargaining agreement , which is an agreement between players and owners to loosen the rules around cannabis use among players . The NFL has taken a major step toward relaxing the penalties for cannabis use though they still penalize players for having over 150 nanograms of THC in their system . Which still sends the message that cannabis use is wrong . These high-level athletes go out and put their life on the line literally every day to perform for millions of fans every weekend . Their bodies are beaten up . Athletes should be able to choose the medicine of their choice for pain relief and recovery . Why is it ok for athletes to use harsh opioids like Vicodin , which are said to be highly addictive and have more proven side effects than cannabis ? That is the question .
In a recent CBS sports article , Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre reported that he once took 15 Vicodin or about a month ’ s worth of painkillers in two days . Recently a study was done that said 52 % of retired professional players used some form of painkillers during their time in the NFL . In the past , the NFL has done little to protect players from painkiller abuse — which has hurt many former athletes . By agreeing to lessen fines and suspensions for THC use , the NFL is definitely taking steps in the right direction for its athletes . With that said , here ’ s a quick look at how some other major league sports handle cannabis use with their athletes . 1
● NBA : Marijuana remains prohibited , but the relaxed testing protocol will bring the league more in line with its Big Four counterparts .
● NHL : While the NHL tests for cannabis , there ’ s no punishment for positives . If a player has “ abnormally high levels ” of THC , it ’ s treated as a health matter ( like alcoholism would be ).
● MLB : In 2019 , MLB removed marijuana from its list of banned substances and now treats it the same as alcohol . Players do , however , remain subject to discipline for using or possessing the drug .
● NFL : The new CBA reduced the testing window from four months to just two weeks of training camp so players could use marijuana in the offseason without fear of punishment . The threshold for a positive test was also raised , and suspensions were replaced by fines .
Now on to my favorite sport — Mixed Martial Arts . Though marijuana is banned in the UFC , it allows athletes to use CBD . If you don ’ t know already , CBD will not get you high . Cannabidiol ( CBD ) is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant that does not cause intoxicating effects . Most CBD is derived from hemp plants grown to produce less than 0.3 % THC , which makes it federally legal according to the 2018 Farm Bill . It has all the medicinal properties of the plant without the intoxicating psychosis .
From Ronda Rousey to the body snatcher Bas Rutten and many other athletes have confirmed their use of cannabis for recovery . As of 2021 , the UFC no longer punishes fighters for using marijuana . Former NBA star Al Harrington is building a $ 100 Million as the CEO of his Viola Brands cannabis company . According to its website ,
https :// violabrands . com /, “ The brand name “ Viola ” was inspired by his grandmother , who had long suffered from glaucoma . Harrington convinced her to try cannabis , from which she found relief , demonstrating to him the power of the plant . That experience inspired him to name his company after Viola .”
Now you can ’ t compete while under the influence . But the UFC understands that many of its athletes use marijuana and full-spectrum CBD to cope with pain and help with recovery . I think this is great and such a positive step toward restructuring the sports community as a whole . I have had personal friends and teammates who have had their prize purses taken for simply failing UA weed testing . Marijuana is not a PED ( Performance Enhancing Drug ) though it helps so many athletes recover . Think about it ; take a second and imagine how one ’ s body feels after being literally locked around in a wire cage for 15-25 mins with another individual trying to tear your head off and break your limbs . Let that sit in on you for a minute . These athletes are modern day gladiators . Even a one-minute fight may require maximum recovery for both athletes — the average brawl / street fight lasts only 47 seconds . I can definitely say we are moving in the right direction in all sports regarding cannabis use , and I ’ ve seen a great deal of change in my lifetime . We can , will , and should always strive to do better . Education is key , and open minds can open new doors .
We are Major
1 . Where it stands : Weed policies by U . S . sports league - Axios . https :// www . axios . com / 2021 / 10 / 20 / weed-policies-sports-leagues-nba-mlb-nfl-nhl