NFL players' reliance on opioids for pain relief could change with relaxed marijuana policy

The NFL Players' Association will push for a less punitive approach to dealing with players who use marijuana, according to The Washington Post.

As states across the union ratify medical marijuana laws and rates of opioid abuse continue to rise, the possibility of using cannabis for pain relief to curb the rates of opioid prescriptions is under discussion in parts of the medical community. This discussion has spilled over into the NFL, where players often incur a slew of painful injuries throughout a season.

Over the last year, many retired players have advocated for the acceptance of using marijuana to treat pain, according to The Denver Post. The NFL Players' Association will submit a proposal on the matter to the union's board of representatives. If those players approve the proposal, it will be taken to the league for review.

More articles on opioids: 
Another West Virginia town joins ranks of municipalities suing pharma over opioid epidemic 
BCBS of Tennessee launches efforts to curb state's opioid abuse 'crisis' 
Louisville, Kentucky sees surge in 911 calls for overdoses

 

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