Each NFL offseason, various storylines surface. This year, of course, Deflategate continues to be a topic of conversation. However, another, more unique, plot has emerged: medical marijuana use.
Player pushes for medical marijuana acceptance
Eugene Monroe, an offensive tackle and former member of the Baltimore Ravens, began pushing the league to look into allowing medical marijuana use this offseason. The football player believes the drug is safer than the pain killers the NFL currently gives athletes to deal with concussions and other injuries. He recently tweeted a link to his website, which contains more information on his campaign.
In fact, Monroe has gone as far as to donate about $80,000 to to CW Botanical and Realm of Caring‘s campaign, “When The Bright Lights Fade,” to fund research on medical marijuana use to treat brain injuries, according to his website. Despite Monroe’s assertions that the league should look into allowing medical marijuana use, the drug is still banned by the NFL, and for that matter, federal law as well.
Some experts, including Mike Florio of NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk, have suggested the league will never officially allow marijuana use. The way the drug testing schedule is set up right now seems beneficial for the league, the players and the NFL players’ association. Changing that delicate balance could end up being too difficult.
The three-phase intervention program
The NFL’s substance abuse policy prohibits the use of marijuana and a number of other controlled substances. If players are caught once, their infractions remain confidential, according to SB Nation. These individuals enter three-stage intervention programs. The phases are:
The initial step is evaluation and treatment plan development. Here, players agree to provide medical professionals with information on their progress and submit to regular drug tests. This stage can last up to 90 days. If completed without incident, the player can finish the intervention program after this phase.
If there are issues during the first stage, the athlete will move on to the second component of the program. This phase lasts two full seasons and involves a similar treatment plan. Players who break the rules during the second stage may be suspended up to four games. Players who make it through this phase of the program successfully move back to stage one if they violate the substance abuse policy again later on.
The final stage is for athletes who could not complete the first two successfully. The treatment component of this portion of the program is similar to the other two. However, the consequences for a violation increase. For most infractions, players are suspended for a year. Marijuana use during this phase results in a 10-month suspension. Stage three offenders remain in this step of the program for the rest of their careers or until a medical professional discharges them.
If Florio is right, chances are that policy won’t change much for marijuana users or anyone else. If you’re interested in learning more about the league’s drug policy and punishments, speak with a sports law attorney.
Tariff Response Options for Small Businesses Facing Financial Distress
The Trump Administration’s new tariffs are having an oversized impact on small businesses, which already tend to operate on razor thin margins. Many businesses have been forced to raise prices, find new suppliers, lay off staff, and delay growth plans. For businesses facing even more dire financial circumstances, there are additional tariff response options, including […]
Common Causes of Partnership Disputes and How to Resolve Them
Business partnerships, much like marriages, function exceptionally well when partners are aligned but can become challenging when disagreements arise. Partnership disputes often stem from conflicts over business strategy, financial management, and unclear role definitions among partners. Understanding Business Partnership Conflicts Partnership conflicts place significant stress on businesses, making proactive measures essential. Partnerships should establish detailed […]
Businesses Are Facing Financial Headwinds—A Practical Guide
*** The original article was featured on Bloomberg Tax, April 28, 2025 — As a tax attorney who spends much of my time helping people and companies who have large, unresolved issues with the IRS or one or more state tax departments, it often occurs to me that the best service that I can provide […]
President Trump's Termination of Member Gwynne Wilcox
On January 28, 2025, the Trump Administration terminated Gwynne Wilcox from her position as a Member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or the Board). Gwynne Wilcox, a union side lawyer for Levy Ratner, was confirmed to the Board for an original term in 2021 and confirmed again for a successive five-year term expiring […]
Breach of Contract Explained: Types and Consequences
Breach of contract disputes are the most common type of business litigation. Therefore, nearly all New York and New Jersey businesses will likely have to deal with a contract dispute at least once. Understanding when to file a breach of contract lawsuit and how long you have to sue for breach of contract is essential […]
How to Dissolve a Corporation in New Jersey: A Step-by-Step Guide
Closing your business can be a difficult and challenging task. For corporations, the process includes formal approval of the dissolution, winding up operations, resolving tax liabilities, and filing all required paperwork. Whether you need to understand how to dissolve a corporation in New York or New Jersey, it’s imperative to take all of the proper […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
