Will NFL stop testing for marijuana? Pat McAfee urges league to reconsider after major NBA rule change
The NFL, aside from the federal government, has been as anti-marijuana as any establishment in the country. The NBA was right alongside them, but has now decided to let their players free from the restrictions, according to various outlets including Pro Football Talk and The Athletic.
Former Colts punter and influencer star Pat McAfee took to Twitter to nudge the NFL towards following suit.
Hey @NFL… you see the @NBA just decided to stop testing for marijuana entirely?
🗣🗣 https://t.co/PV0YupUWUW
"Hey @NFL… you see the @NBA just decided to stop testing for [the drug] entirely?"
League insider Albert Breer also concurred, calling the NFL's policy against the drug "dumb."
There's legit no reason for the NFL to test for marijuana. It's of benefit to no one to catch guys doing something that's legal in most states, and something a lot of players think can help with their pain.
Doesn't even have to be about right or wrong. It's just dumb to test. twitter.com/ProFootballTal…
"There's legit no reason for the NFL to test for [the drug]. It's of benefit to no one to catch guys doing something that's legal in most states, and something a lot of players think can help with their pain. Doesn't even have to be about right or wrong. It's just dumb to test."
Confusing marijuana rules explained
The state of laws and policies governing the drug's usage in the United States vary depending on one's location. In some states of the country, a person's freedom won't be infringed upon over the drug by the government. However, in other states, they can be thrown in jail or fired for using the drug.
Basically, the reason for the convoluted nature of the laws pertaining to marijuana is federalism. Local governments, like state governments, have their own laws while the federal government that handles things on a big picture basis have their own.
Basically, in the case of marijuana, state laws overrule federal ones in practice, allowing for marijuana to be consumed in some states but not others. Then, on top of it all, companies can require employees to adhere to their own standards in regard to the drug.
In other words, the 'default setting' of the United States is that marijuana is illegal, but states have proven to have the power to change the setting. The NFL basically also has the power to change its stance on the drug as long as the player resides in a state that allows the drug's usage.
Of course, it seems the easiest way to clear all of this up would be if the federal government simply legalized the drug country-wide. However, that is a wholly different debate with a wide variety of views.