‘Weed Bowl’ gives NFL another chance to look at treating head trauma with marijuana

[unhappycamper]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/09/weed-bowl-gives-nfl-another-chance-to-look-at-treating-head-trauma-with-marijuana/

‘Weed Bowl’ gives NFL another chance to look at treating head trauma with marijuana
September 21, 2014
Samantha Olson
Posted with permission from Medical Daily

The National Football League (NFL) has held the spotlight for a number of reasons, including drug abuse, aggressive behavior, domestic violence, and head trauma. It's drug policy has been hurting their players for decades, too. On Sunday, the organization's morally questionable practices will face scrutiny again as the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks, teams from the only two states in the country that permit both recreational and medical marijuana use, face off. In preparation for what many call "The Weed Bowl," they’ll strap into shoulder pads, lace up their cleats, stretch tired muscles, wrap sprained ankles, and lastly, secure hard plastic helmets over their traumatized heads.

Today's game marks the first time two teams coming from legalized recreational marijuana markets will play. Washington implemented its recreational marijuana program in July and Colorado implemented it in October 2012. Two weeks before Colorado became marijuana friendly, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning had the foresight to purchase 21 Papa John’s franchises, and recently announced the success he’s seen in the pizza industry.

“I’ve gotten to know some of the folks here in Colorado,” Manning told The Washington Post. “There’s some different laws out here in Colorado. Pizza business is pretty good out here, believe it or not, due to some recent law changes. So when you come to a different place, you’ve kind of got to learn everything that comes with it.”

The culture is changing and although drugs have always been a subculture of professional sports, whether it was human growth hormones (HGH) or marijuana use, there have also been abuses to policy. On Friday, the NFL and NFL Players Association (NFLPA) announced revisions to their substance abuse and performance-enhancing drug policies, with a focus on when testing would be done and how violations would be handled. For example, a player's first violation of the steroid policy results in sitting out for four games; a second time merits a 10-game suspension without pay. If a player violates the marijuana policy, they’ll be referred to a substance abuse program and face up to one-year banishment from the NFL. Meanwhile, a player who is arrested for driving under the influence will be suspended for two games.

[Eleanors38]

1. I'm high on these developments.