In another sign that marijuana use is coming into the mainstream, one professional football player is advocating that he and his peers be able to use the drug to manage the aches and pains that come with playing a violent sport for a living.
Eugene Monroe, an offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens, told the New York Times that he wants players to be able to use cannabis products to manage main rather than the more seriously addictive opioid drugs that team doctors regularly give to players.
“We now know that these drugs are not as safe as doctors thought, causing higher rates of addiction, causing death all around our country,” Monroe told the Times “and we have cannabis, which is far healthier, far less addictive and, quite frankly, can be better in managing pain.”
As of now, Monroe seems unlikely to get his wish — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has refused to consider changing the league’s policy on marijuana, even as state’s throughout the country begin to decriminalize or legalize use of the drug for either medical or recreational purposes.
Ravens owned Steve Bisciotti offered limited support for Monroe, saying he “respects Eugene a lot, and I think all he asked for is more studying on the subject.”
Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh, though adamantly said his player did not speak for the organization.