Marijuana in the NFL

As the NFL Draft gets under way, one of the hot topics inside the league is the growing number of top prospects who have admitted smoking pot or have been caught doing so.

The article is interesting throughout. A few thoughts:

1. Libertarians, while supporting marijuana legalization, would nevertheless say the NFL should be free to impose whatever drug-testing it wants.

2. The NFL might continue to ban marijuana, even if it becomes legal, because it believes the fans prefer a “drug-free” league.  Yet a change in legal status would probably undermine that view.

3. The contrast between the NFL’s marijuana policy and its alcohol policy is stark. No one denies that many players consume large quantities of alcohol, nor that this consumption can affect performance on the field if excessive. Yet the league does nothing about it.

4. The growing legality of medicinal marijuana may push the league to modify its policy.

5. The quoted players believe marijuana helps their performance indirectly by alleviating pain, allowing them to relax, and stimulating their appetite so they can gain the appropriate weight.

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