NFL Forbids Injured Player’s Request for Medical Marijuana

Although the NFL remains one of the most physical, injury-laden league in professional sports, it still hasn’t given any leeway in terms of medicinal marijuana use by its players. The league, as a whole, remains stringent on marijuana use, and unfortunately, that doesn’t look like it will be changing anytime soon. While there are loopholes in the NFL’s drug policy, for therapeutic medicinal cannabis use, the outlet has yet to be successfully exercised, as once again, the NFL forbids injured player’s request for medical marijuana.

Mike James’ Request Denied

Mike James, a current NFL free agent and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions running back, has made NFL history, in his own right. Last month, the former sixth-round pick became the first player in league history to file for a therapeutic use exemption for medical marijuana.

But last Thursday, his request was denied by league officials.

James had been reliant upon opioid painkillers since a Monday night football game against the Miami Dolphins after the running back broke his ankle on a goalline plunder. In an interview with CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta the running back reveals he was addicted to the cocktail of pills he was prescribed in just a matter of weeks.

According to James, the pills caused him to lose a part of himself.

“I never had something where I could be coherent and still have pain relief,” James revealed.

However, the ex-Buc vowed to get clean for his sons. Growing up, his father was in and out of prison on various drug stints, and he didn’t want to set the same example for his children. That’s why, at first, medical marijuana seemed like such a far-fetched idea.

“I thought, ‘Weed? No, that’s a street drug,” James said in the interview. ” I didn’t even want to hear what it had to offer.”

However, after succumbing to the inevitable physical addictions of his prescribed opioids, James decided to give it a go. And in February of 2014, he tried medicinal cannabis for the first time. And he had an epiphany.

“I felt like I was beginning a new life,” James said.

But despite his attempts to change, James has failed several drug tests for marijuana, and his exemption has been denied by league officials. Instead of supporting his effort to get clean, the NFL has admonished it.

“Our job is to find the best medical science to support your therapeutic use exemption,” said DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the NFL Players Association.

While plenty of that information has been made available, the NFL still remains behind the curve— and James’ career now hangs in the balance.

“My career is at great risk,” the running back admitted to Gupta.

The NFL Won’t Budge on Medical Cannabis

While the NFL may still classify the plant as a “controlled substance,” many within the league—and outside of it, believe athletes should be allowed to use medicinal marijuana.

According to a Yahoo News/Marist Poll published last year, 69% of Americans approve of a professional athlete using marijuana for pain, and 67% of pollers believing prescribed opioids are far worse that prescribed marijuana.

Additionally, many ex-players have championed the use of the plant for pain-management and concussion treatment. Ex-Jaguars offensive lineman Eben Britton believes marijuana could be a big part of the league’s medical program going forward and could be an important tool to help preserve players’ careers.

While the NFL remains behind the eightball on medical pot, despite being one of the most injury-plagued sports in America, other sporting leagues are starting to come around. The UFC essentially allows their athletes to use cannabis for recovery, and even the NBA has said it will consider removing the plant from its banned substance list.

Now, it’s time for the NFL to get off the opioid train, and hop onto the medical pot express. If not, the league could become, effectively extinct.

Are Olympic Athletes Allowed To Use CBD?

Ae Olympic athletes allowed to use CBD? It’s a question we’re wondering now that the 2018 Winter Olympics are coming to a close. For the past few years, drug use among Olympians has been a controversial topic. Whether it’s allegations of doping or recreational drug use, sports authorities hold these elite athletes to a higher standard than the average sports player. But what about a certain therapeutic non-psychoactive cannabinoid? Are Olympic athletes allowed to use CBD?

Cannabis and Sports

When we talk about drugs and athletes, we almost always think of steroids and other performance-enhancing substances. For many, a connection between professional athletes and cannabis would never be part of the conversation. Even though studies show that cannabis can improve workout sessions and overall fitness.

But in 1998, the Olympic authorities officially added cannabis to the list of banned substances for competing athletes. Ross Rebagliati, a snowboarder from Canada, tested positive for THC, bringing on the change. The World Anti-Doping Agency was established one year later. The issue of Olympians smoking weed was then on the backburner for a decade.

Then, in 2009, a photograph of Michael Phelps went viral. The Olympic swimmer from the United States, who won 23 gold medals over his career (as well as three silver medals and two bronze ones), was once again in the spotlight for the wrong reason.

Did he get another DUI, like he did in 2004? No. This time, Phelps was the center of controversy because someone leaked a photo of him smoking out of a bong.

He verified the picture was real and issued a public apology. Subsequently, USA Swimming suspended him from competition for three months. He also lost a sponsorship with Kellogg.

Media and authority figures catching athletes with weed is nothing new. Most sports leagues ban drugs, including cannabis. These prohibitions are enforced through drug testing.

But the rules for Olympic athletes seem to be a bit different. Back in 2013, the World Anti-Doping Agency quietly raised the tolerated amount of THC in the system of Olympic athletes. And in 2016, the officials tweaked the rules again.

Now, Olympic athletes have permission to smoke weed. Just not during competition season. Fair enough. But what about cannabidiol? Are Olympic athletes allowed to use CBD?

Final Hit: Are Olympic Athletes Allowed To Use CBD?

The answer to the question is a resounding yes. Seemingly in accordance with scientific research and available information about the cannabinoid, the World Anti-Doping Agency updated their banned substance list. They still don’t allow Olympic athletes to use THC during the competition.

But cannabidiol? Totally fine. The proof is right there on the updated list for 2o18. In Section S8, WADA proclaims that “cannabidiol is no longer prohibited.”

It’s definitely a step in the right direction for the Agency and for athletics as a whole. Especially considering the numerous health benefits CBD offers. To athletes and non-athletes alike. Maybe now some athletes will get sponsorships from companies specializing CBD products!

Weed Dispensaries Are Bracing Themselves For Super Bowl Sunday

Weed dispensaries are bracing themselves for Super Bowl Sunday. The Big Game is right around the corner, and retailers across the board are getting ready for a huge weekend. And that, of course, includes cannabis stores. Around the country, in states where it’s legal, these specialty shops are prepping for a touchdown.

High Retail Numbers

Super Bowl Sunday is traditionally one of the most active weekends for retail. Now, new stats show that this trend holds true for the legal cannabis industry as well.

USA Today and cannabis sales company Green Bits recently compiled sales data for the legal weed industry. These numbers reveal that last year, weed sales spiked by 40 percent on the Saturday before the Super Bowl.

Similarly, the average purchase at a dispensary went from $100 to $140 right before the Big Game. Edibles and THC cartridges were the most popular Super Bowl products last year.

This year, experts are expecting even bigger overall numbers. That’s primarily because there are now more places where recreational weed is legal.

With the recent legalization of recreational weed in Vermont, there are now nine states, plus Washington D.C., where weed is legal.

Most notably, California launched legal sales at the beginning of the year. That state alone should add a significant boost to overall weed retail numbers this weekend.

Along with Super Bowl weekend, there are a few other key dates that are emerging as hot times for legal weed sales. Not surprisingly, the 420 season is one of the busiest times for weed retail. Additionally, the days before and immediately following Thanksgiving are active. So are the days just before Christmas.

Social Events and Cannabis Consumption

Experts say that much of Super Bowl weekend’s appeal has to do with the social aspects of consuming weed. More and more, people in weed-legal states are turning to cannabis for social recreation. Sometimes, even more than alcohol.

“The Super Bowl is like any other large social event: people getting together,” Green Bits CEO Ben Curren told USA Today. “Whenever there’s a large social event we see an uptick in purchases.”

Many experts suspect that people are turning to weed during social events because it lets people get high and have fun, but without feeling hung over the next day.

“You can be social, have a good time, and still be a human being and go to work the next day,” said Justin Bishoff, manager of the GroundSwell dispensary in Denver.

Final Hit: Weed Dispensaries Are Bracing Themselves For Super Bowl Sunday

As weed dispensaries are bracing themselves for Super Bowl Sunday, the relationship between cannabis and football is intensifying. And not just in terms of fans purchasing more weed.

More and more, current and former NFL players are calling on the league to allow for the use of medical marijuana. A growing number of concerned players are pointing out that without reliable access to medical marijuana, pro football players are too often forced to rely on dangerous opioids.

As a result, many players run the risk of developing harmful dependencies.

In fact, a survey taken last year found that 91 percent of NFL players have taken opioid painkillers at some point. Forty-five percent said they felt pressure from team doctors, staff, and teammates to use the drugs.

Whether it’s players using medical marijuana to manage pain or fans buying weed for Super Bowl parties, it seems as if legal weed and football are increasingly working well together.