NFL Reaches Out To Players' Association To Work In Tandem On Marijuana Study

The NFL has written to the NFLPA "offering to work in tandem to study the potential use of marijuana as a pain management tool for players," according to sources cited by Mark Maske of the WASHINGTON POST. This is the "clearest indication to this point that the league may be willing to work cooperatively with the union toward such marijuana use, which is currently banned by the sport." The NFLPA is conducting its own study, and sources said that it has "yet to respond to the NFL’s offer to cooperate on marijuana-related research." The league's letter "outlined a few areas for potential research that included pain management for both acute and chronic conditions." NFL players currently are "tested for marijuana and face potential discipline, including suspensions, for positive tests" (WASHINGTON POST, 8/1).