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.
You Just Received a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena in New Jersey: Now What?
Receiving a federal grand jury subpoena is not something most businesses or individuals anticipate. While it can be concerning, a federal grand jury subpoena does not necessarily mean that you are being accused of wrongdoing. It does, however, mean that a federal criminal investigation is underway and that federal prosecutors believe you may possess information […]
Why Every Business Should Conduct an Annual Insurance Coverage Review
Most New Jersey business owners purchase insurance policies, file them away, and assume they are protected if a claim arises. Without a regular insurance coverage review, many companies discover gaps only after a lawsuit, cyberattack, property loss, or other significant event occurs. An annual insurance coverage review can help businesses identify potential risks, ensure their […]
Demand Letters & Cease and Desist Letters: When to Send One (and When Not To)
Businesses and individuals often encounter situations where another party breaches a contract, fails to pay a debt, or continues harmful conduct. In many such disputes, a precisely drafted demand letter or cease-and-desist letter serves as a powerful legal tool. It can frequently resolve the dispute and avoid litigation. While demand or cease-and-desist letters can resolve […]
Key provisions in your contracts, including those relating to indemnification, insurance, and defense, are essential to contract risk management. While sometimes considered “boilerplate,” these provisions play a pivotal role when determining which party is responsible for certain costs and liabilities. They must always be negotiated and drafted carefully. Indemnification Clauses Businesses should never overlook the […]
Portability of estate and gift tax enables a surviving spouse to inherit any unused portion of their deceased spouse’s federal estate and gift tax exemption. So, if one spouse doesn’t utilize their full exemption, the surviving spouse can effectively double their exemption amount with regard to estate tax liability. For married couples, portability offers a […]
Pet Trusts in New Jersey and New York: A Practical Estate Planning Tool
For many of us, pets are more than companions—they are members of the family. Yet they are often overlooked or inadequately provided for when it comes to estate planning. A pet trust offers a legally enforceable way to ensure that your animal continues to receive proper care if you become incapacitated or pass away. As […]
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!
