NFL Commissioner Open to Players Using Medical Cannabis
Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the National Football League (NFL), has made his
first ever public comments surrounding medical cannabis consumption among players, saying that he’s open to a change in the league’s rules which would allow its use in states where its legal.
“I don’t know what’s going to develop as far as the next for medicine to evolve and to help either deal with pain or help deal with injuries, but we will continue to support the evolution of medicine”, said Goodell in an interview with ESPN, when asked about the league’s policy which results in a suspension if a player is caught using cannabis for any purpose, even if they’re a qualified medical cannabis patient in a state where it’s legal.
The comment from Goodell is the first the NFL has made about cannabis since November 2012 when Colorado and Washington voted to legalize recreational cannabis; NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told USA Today that the new laws wouldn’t change anything.
Although Goodell’s response is far from an indicator that a change in policy is in the immediate future, it’s still a good sign to see the league at least open to discussing the issue.
– TheJointBlog
NorCalNative
In regard to the issue of post-career life and the effects of traumatic brain injury from concussions, cannabinoids can play a very important role in neuoprotection as well as decreasing the type of synaptic damage that is caused by TAU and amyloid plaques that contribute to dementia and Alzheimer’s-like symptoms.
So, not only could NFL players benefit from the medicinal qualities of cannabis during their active careers, using it after they retire can help them reduce or eliminate the potential risks from traumatic brain injury.