Although the NFL remains one of the most physical, injury-laden league in professional sports, it still hasn’t given any leeway in terms of medicinal marijuana use by its players. The league, as a whole, remains stringent on marijuana use, and unfortunately, that doesn’t look like it will be changing anytime soon. While there are loopholes in the NFL’s drug policy, for therapeutic medicinal cannabis use, the outlet has yet to be successfully exercised, as once again, the NFL forbids injured player’s request for medical marijuana.
Mike James’ Request Denied
Mike James, a current NFL free agent and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions running back, has made NFL history, in his own right. Last month, the former sixth-round pick became the first player in league history to file for a therapeutic use exemption for medical marijuana.
But last Thursday, his request was denied by league officials.
James had been reliant upon opioid painkillers since a Monday night football game against the Miami Dolphins after the running back broke his ankle on a goalline plunder. In an interview with CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta the running back reveals he was addicted to the cocktail of pills he was prescribed in just a matter of weeks.
According to James, the pills caused him to lose a part of himself.
“I never had something where I could be coherent and still have pain relief,” James revealed.
However, the ex-Buc vowed to get clean for his sons. Growing up, his father was in and out of prison on various drug stints, and he didn’t want to set the same example for his children. That’s why, at first, medical marijuana seemed like such a far-fetched idea.
“I thought, ‘Weed? No, that’s a