medical marijuana in the NFL
Medical Marijuana in football
The NFL could allow players to use medicinal marijuana in the future, pending medical reviews and studies.
Here are some facts about marijuana:
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana is a Schedule 1 substance, which means that it has no medicinal purpose and has a high risk for abuse. Although marijuana is not federally legalized or approved by the FDA, 20 states (including Hawaii and Washington D.C.) have already legalized medical marijuana, and two of those states (Colorado and Washington) have already legalized marijuana for adult recreational purposes. When marijuana is ingested or smoked, THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) a chemical naturally found in marijuana, targets neural receptors in the brain giving users a “high.” Altered perceptions and mood, impaired coordination, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and disrupted learning and memory are some of the effects that marijuana users may feel. Long term effects of heavy marijuana use include: respiratory problems (daily cough and phlegm production, frequent acute chest illness, and increased risk of lung infections), increased heart rate by 10-100 percent, and mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts among adolescents, and personality disturbances, including a lack of motivation to engage in typically rewarding activities. Studies have also shown marijuana to be psychologically addictive.
Although marijuana is not an FDA approved medicine, the chemical located within it, THC, is approved by the FDA as a treatment for nausea and pain.
Should the NFL continue to ban marijuana?
Mark Brunell, a former NFL quarterback who played in the league for 19 years, has been spear-heading the argument against marijuana use in the NFL. “I believe it’s harmful…I believe it has a negative effect on not only NFL players but anybody that does it.” said Brunell in an interview on SportsCenter. Brunell also believes that testing for
The NFL could allow players to use medicinal marijuana in the future, pending medical reviews and studies.
Here are some facts about marijuana:
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana is a Schedule 1 substance, which means that it has no medicinal purpose and has a high risk for abuse. Although marijuana is not federally legalized or approved by the FDA, 20 states (including Hawaii and Washington D.C.) have already legalized medical marijuana, and two of those states (Colorado and Washington) have already legalized marijuana for adult recreational purposes. When marijuana is ingested or smoked, THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) a chemical naturally found in marijuana, targets neural receptors in the brain giving users a “high.” Altered perceptions and mood, impaired coordination, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and disrupted learning and memory are some of the effects that marijuana users may feel. Long term effects of heavy marijuana use include: respiratory problems (daily cough and phlegm production, frequent acute chest illness, and increased risk of lung infections), increased heart rate by 10-100 percent, and mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts among adolescents, and personality disturbances, including a lack of motivation to engage in typically rewarding activities. Studies have also shown marijuana to be psychologically addictive.
Although marijuana is not an FDA approved medicine, the chemical located within it, THC, is approved by the FDA as a treatment for nausea and pain.
Should the NFL continue to ban marijuana?
Mark Brunell, a former NFL quarterback who played in the league for 19 years, has been spear-heading the argument against marijuana use in the NFL. “I believe it’s harmful…I believe it has a negative effect on not only NFL players but anybody that does it.” said Brunell in an interview on SportsCenter. Brunell also believes that testing for