ESPN Reveals NFL Players Opinions On Marijuana, Pain Medication
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- ESPN recently polled 226 NFL players from both the AFC and NFC to talk about marijuana use vs. pain medication, and the issue of pain management. There's been a growing movement among former and current NFL players calling for the league to lift its ban on marijuana.
The AFC (127 respondents) and NFC (99 respondents) were surveyed anonymously. Of the surveyed respondents, 71 percent said medical marijuana should be legal in all states, and 29 percent said it should not. If marijuana were an allowed substance, 61 percent of players said there would likely be fewer players take painkillers.
42 percent of NFL players believe a former teammate became addicted to drugs as a result of painkiller abuse and 59 percent of players are worried about the long-term effects of prescription painkillers.
Former Baltimore Ravens tackle Eugene Monroe spoke out for marijuana use in the NFL earlier this year. He discussed how the drug Toradol is used for players around the league as a pain reliever, but can have "disguising" effects when it comes to injuries. However the NFL, which is very conservative in many areas, has been slow to change its views on marijuana.
On election day next week, nine more states will have the opportunity to vote on legalizing marijuana.
