Medical Marijuana Inc (MJNA)

[Ecostate]

NFL-MARIJUANA NEWS- GREAT NEWS HERE GANG-With public attitudes and laws changing in the United States regarding the use of recreational and medical marijuana, minds are beginning to change in the NFL as well.

Based on conversations with 10 NFL team owners and executives over the past few months, marijuana usage could emerge as a key issue when the collective bargaining agreement is renegotiated over the next few years. The team sources spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to talk candidly about the subject.

Each of the owners support additional study and discussion regarding what the league's stance should be on medical and recreational pot use for players. The majority of the sample size supports a "decriminalization" of marijuana that would make it more difficult for players to be suspended. Two of the principals involved in the issue said they are open to getting rid of marijuana-related suspensions and only issuing fines. Two others said they are worried about sending the message that drug use is tolerated and believe suspensions must remain.

Although there is a consensus to being open to change, there's no unanimity on what should be done.

Easing marijuana restrictions would be a continuation of changes made in the last drug policy negotiation in 2014. In addition to the implementation of human growth hormone testing and mandatory discipline for DUIs, the suspension threshold for a positive marijuana test was raised. Players could test positive for pot four times without being suspended by the NFL.

Most of the executives who spoke about the issue supported lowering the standards tied to marijuana-related suspensions. A few mentioned conversations with other owners that signaled much more support for vetting the issues and lowering restrictions. One said there is a "groundswell" of support among owners to ease suspensions for marijuana-related infractions.

Changes to the current drug policy would need to be agreed upon by the league and the NFL Players Association, either as part of future CBA renegotiation discussions or as a separate policy. Voters in Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, California and Nevada have legalized the recreational use of pot in some form or fashion. Florida, North Dakota, Montana and Arkansas have recently passed medical cannabis referendums.

A majority of states allow marijuana to be used for medical purposes. Seven NFL teams are in states that allow recreational marijuana use and 16 teams are in locations with approved medical use.

Several league executives said the NFL should "follow the country" in the changing attitudes about marijuana use. In addition, the high-profile suspensions of Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon and Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory also has raised more awareness about the issue. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000738074/article/several-nfl-owners-execs-eyeing-marijuana-discipline-changes