NFL Players: Medical Marijuana Means Fewer Painkillers

November 9, 2016

A survey by ESPN found that almost two-thirds of NFL players feel that the use of chemical painkillers among players would be reduced if the league approved of medicinal marijuana.

ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com’s NFL Nation surveyed 226 NFL players about pain treatment and the league’s policies regarding medical treatment for pain.

The results showed 61 percent of those surveyed felt NFL players would take fewer painkillers if medical marijuana was an allowed substance. According to ESPN, 64 percent of those surveyed said they have taken an injection of Toradol or another painkiller.

The survey also found that 41 percent of players thought marijuana would control pain more effectively than painkillers. Even more players support marijuana legalization, with 71 percent of those surveyed saying marijuana should be legal for medical use.

Concern about the long term effects of painkillers has increased recently among NFL players as awareness about the dangers of painkillers grows. Of players surveyed, nearly 60 percent said they worry about the long-term effects of chemical painkillers, and 42 percent said they believe they have had a teammate who became addicted to painkillers.

Only 32 percent of players said they think painkillers are a better option for pain relief than marijuana.

Eugene Monroe, a former first-round pick who played from 2009 to 2016 with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Baltimore Ravens, retired from football earlier this year and is now an advocate for cannabis for pain management and neuroprotection.

Monroe — who suffers from chronic pain caused by injuries sustained during his playing career — says that the overprescribing of opioid painkillers in the NFL is severely damaging players’ lives and that cannabis is an effective alternative.

“It’s time for the NFL to change its archaic standards to better protect its players and set an example for our young athletes,” Monroe said on his website. “For too long, I’ve watched my teammates and good friends battle with opioid addiction and leave the game with a long road still ahead; it’s time to make a change.”

Election Could Legalize Marijuana at Home, but Not at Work

ESPN published the results of the survey less than a week from Election Day, when five states will vote whether to legalize recreational marijuana and four more will vote on whether to legalize medical marijuana.

Recreational marijuana is already legal in four states and in the District of Columbia. Medical cannabis is legal in 25 states; however, marijuana remains one of eight banned substances under the NFL’s substance abuse policy — even for players who live in states in which it is legal.

“It’s legal where I live, but not where I work,” an anonymous player told ESPN.

In the NFL, the average player receives one drug test per year between April 20 and Aug. 9. Players face disciplinary action that may include fines or suspension if their test results indicate 35 ng/ml or more of marijuana in their blood stream.

According to survey results, 67 percent of players said that it is not hard to beat the NFL’s drug testing system.

DEA Warns of Addictive Properties of Marijuana

In August 2016, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration denied a petition calling for the rescheduling of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act. Marijuana is currently a Schedule I substance along with heroin, LSD and MDMA.

The petition stated that marijuana should be rescheduled to any schedule other than Schedule I.

In response, the DEA collected data and research from the Department of Health and Human Services and concluded that marijuana met the criteria for a Schedule 1 substance: high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in the United States and lack of safety even under medical supervision.

Medical Disclaimer: DrugRehab.com aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.

View Sources

• Bay Area News Group. (2016, November 2). Majority of NFL players say medicinal marijuana would reduce use of chemical painkillers. Retrieved from http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/11/02/majority-of-nfl-players-say-medicinal-marijuana-would-reduce-use-of-chemical-painkillers/
• Breech, J. (2016, November 5). Survey: NFL players say some teammates use marijuana before they play. Retrieved from http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/survey-nfl-players-say-some-teammates-use-marijuana-before-they-play/
• Monroe, E. (n.d.). My Story. Retrieved from http://www.eugenemonroe.com/
• Seifert, K. (2016, November 2). Survey: Two-thirds of NFL players say legal pot equals fewer painkillers. Retrieved from http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17951858/nfl-players-legal-pot-equals-fewer-painkillers

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