ESPN's NFL player poll about marijuana had some surprising results

[Selassie I]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/espns-...na-had-some-surprising-results-184535965.html

It’s pretty clear by now that there is a disconnect between the NFL and its players on the topic of marijuana use.

Specifically, the NFL seems to be behind the times in its anti-marijuana stance, and players see no issue with using it as a painkiller.

ESPN surveyed 226 players and came to some conclusions you’d expect, and others that were a bit surprising.

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It’s no big surprise that players prefer cannibis over opiods, which are viewed as more dangerous. The NFL, which is very conservative in many areas, has been slow to change its views on marijuana. However, it was little eye-opening that the numbers in favor of marijuana use among players were so overwhelming, and that 67 percent of players think the NFL’s tests aren’t hard to beat.

A big surprise from the poll was that 22 percent of the 226 players said a teammate had used marijuana before a game. That doesn’t mean one of every five players is playing high; perhaps everyone who answered yes knew the same guy who liked to get high before playing an NFL football game. It’s incredibly difficult to play an NFL game even with a clear mind, it seems insane to try it after using marijuana (former Denver Broncosoffensive tackle Matt Lepsis said he did in his last season and I was blown away that anyone could pull that off).

On election day next week, nine more states will have the opportunity to vote on legalizing marijuana. The national attitude seems to be changing towards marijuana, and NFL players appear overwhelmingly in favor of having it as an option for pain management. Former Baltimore Ravens tackle Eugene Monroe spoke out for marijuana use in the NFL (and may have lost his job for it). Former NFL running back Ricky Williams has famously taken up the cause too. There are still reasons for the NFL to put off changing its rules, most obviously that the federal law on marijuana hasn’t changed. Also, no matter what happens on election day not every team will play in a state in which the drug is legal. So making marijuana OK couldn’t apply to all 32 teams yet. Some teams will still play in a state in which the drug is illegal.

But there continues to be a strong push for NFL players to have the option. How long can the NFL hold it off?

 

[Young Ram]

Yes on prop 64!

I feel once California legalizes the dominoes will fall and more states will legalize.

 

[RamzFanz]

It’s incredibly difficult to play an NFL game even with a clear mind, it seems insane to try it after using marijuana (former Denver Broncosoffensive tackle Matt Lepsis said he did in his last season and I was blown away that anyone could pull that off).

For me, this would be true. For others, weed clears the mind and allows focus. I have a friend with ADHD like this. It works wonders.

The author is a perfect example of how much false information and misconception surround Marijuana.

There is no valid reason for weed to be illegal.

 

[DaveFan'51]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/espns-...na-had-some-surprising-results-184535965.html

It’s pretty clear by now that there is a disconnect between the NFL and its players on the topic of marijuana use.

Specifically, the NFL seems to be behind the times in its anti-marijuana stance, and players see no issue with using it as a painkiller.

ESPN surveyed 226 players and came to some conclusions you’d expect, and others that were a bit surprising.

\
It’s no big surprise that players prefer cannibis over opiods, which are viewed as more dangerous. The NFL, which is very conservative in many areas, has been slow to change its views on marijuana. However, it was little eye-opening that the numbers in favor of marijuana use among players were so overwhelming, and that 67 percent of players think the NFL’s tests aren’t hard to beat.

A big surprise from the poll was that 22 percent of the 226 players said a teammate had used marijuana before a game. That doesn’t mean one of every five players is playing high; perhaps everyone who answered yes knew the same guy who liked to get high before playing an NFL football game. It’s incredibly difficult to play an NFL game even with a clear mind, it seems insane to try it after using marijuana (former Denver Broncosoffensive tackle Matt Lepsis said he did in his last season and I was blown away that anyone could pull that off).

On election day next week, nine more states will have the opportunity to vote on legalizing marijuana. The national attitude seems to be changing towards marijuana, and NFL players appear overwhelmingly in favor of having it as an option for pain management. Former Baltimore Ravens tackle Eugene Monroe spoke out for marijuana use in the NFL (and may have lost his job for it). Former NFL running back Ricky Williams has famously taken up the cause too. There are still reasons for the NFL to put off changing its rules, most obviously that the federal law on marijuana hasn’t changed. Also, no matter what happens on election day not every team will play in a state in which the drug is legal. So making marijuana OK couldn’t apply to all 32 teams yet. Some teams will still play in a state in which the drug is illegal.

But there continues to be a strong push for NFL players to have the option. How long can the NFL hold it off?

It is on the Ballot in the State of California, this year, to make it Legal! And from what I hear several other States! I'm Voting YES!! IF nothing else, it will bring in a lot of Tax Dollars!!

 

[Ballhawk]

Booze is legal so would it be OK for players to show up for games drunk?

 

[Selassie I]

For me, this would be true. For others, weed clears the mind and allows focus. I have a friend with ADHD like this. It works wonders.

The author is a perfect example of how much false information and misconception surround Marijuana.

There is no valid reason for weed to be illegal.

Not to mention that there are different types of herb... some make you want to become a vegetable,,, and some make you want to reorganize your entire closet.

Not that I would know anything about it though.

 

[Merlin]

I'm so tired of weed being illegal. It's the old guard, the generation before mine that I blame this on too. The ones who make laws and still have "reefer madness" influenced views.

It's idiotic. Weed is a better recreational drug than alcohol by a country mile. People don't get all weeded up and run around getting in fights and causing problems, they get all weeded up and chill.

 

[OldSchool]

Hope it all works out in the end best for the players and the league, no desire to do it myself but I do enjoy my bourbon's.

 

[CanRamFan]

I've never understood why the NFL takes such a hard stance on marijuana. I never would have thought the US would be more progressive than Canada on this issue but isn't it already decriminalized in like half the states ? Canada is going legal next year (the whole country) for those that didn't know. Well at least that's what our government is saying now.

 

[RamzFanz]

It's the old guard, the generation before mine that I blame this on too. The ones who make laws and still have "reefer madness" influenced views.

 

[-X-]

I've never understood why the NFL takes such a hard stance on marijuana. I never would have thought the US would be more progressive than Canada on this issue but isn't it already decriminalized in like half the states ? Canada is going legal next year (the whole country) for those that didn't know. Well at least that's what our government is saying now.

Keep me posted. I'll move there in a nanosecond.

 

[JackStraw]

On a somewhat unrelated not, I don't think many players suffer with pain during game thanks to the power of adrenaline, but it's a long week.

The cannabinoid oils that don't contain any THC(the chemical that gets people high) and only contains the chemicals that can treat/relieve physical ailments should seriously be considered as a legal alternative to current drugs being used in locker rooms across the league

The NFL should be doing anything they can to counter the opiate addiction that so many former and ex-players get swept up in.

 

[Corbin]

Sadly it's going to take a few players OD'ing for the NFL to change its stance on this I feel. Or a majority of states decriminalizing it.

 

[So Ram]

Not to mention that there are different types of herb... some make you want to become a vegetable,,, and some make you want to reorganize your entire closet.

Not that I would know anything about it though.

Then you have your highbred like Tavon Austin or Mark Barron .

 

[JackStraw]

Then you have your highbred like Tavon Austin or Mark Barron .

Don't forget Joyner!

Name: 'Dragonfly'
Orgin: Named after LA Rams DB Lamarcus Joyner
Effects hyperactivity, paranoia, loss of confidence and a provides a pleasant burst of energy, yet can pack a punch that may knock you on your ass

 

[rdlkgliders]

Forget it

 

[So Ram]

Don't forget Joyner!

That is seriously funny !! Nice post reply.
-- a lot of truth as well.He makes me nervous just watching him sometimes.

 

[yrba1]

Considering that it's a more reliable painkiller compared to what pharmas offer, I'm all for legalizing it.

I've never understood why the NFL takes such a hard stance on marijuana. I never would have thought the US would be more progressive than Canada on this issue but isn't it already decriminalized in like half the states ? Canada is going legal next year (the whole country) for those that didn't know. Well at least that's what our government is saying now.

It's simply respecting US laws, there would be significant government intervention had they allowed players to use it even for medical reasons. Hopefully Federal law will decriminalize it in the near future; that's certainly a step forward.

I know it's ambitious to go straight to legalization but making changes in the US political climate can only be done if you stick with the 4th and inches gameplan rather than the 60 yard bomb to the endzone; that goes nowhere with this government.

 

[VegasRam]

I'm so tired of weed being illegal. It's the old guard, the generation before mine that I blame this on too. The ones who make laws and still have "reefer madness" influenced views.

It's idiotic. Weed is a better recreational drug than alcohol by a country mile. People don't get all weeded up and run around getting in fights and causing problems, they get all weeded up and chill.

That's what is so maddenly ironic - that the old guard (I'm 68), got high in the sixties, and if they didn't, were at least around it enough to know that the '40's "reefer madness" mindset was pure bullshit.

It's on the ballot here in Nevada as well - good chance of passing.

 

[VegasRam]

Not to mention that there are different types of herb... some make you want to become a vegetable,,, and some make you want to reorganize your entire closet.

Not that I would know anything about it though.

When you stop in Vegas on your way to an LA game, bring some of that closet stuff.
I've been putting it off long enough.