The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) released a CBA proposal to the public recently outlining changes to include cannabis policy. The agreement approved by team owners on Thursday also outlines several changes. These changes include wages, training hours, working conditions, benefits increases for active/former players, and various rights changes.
The agreement states: “Changes to Drug Policy:
– Narrows the testing window of THC from four months to two weeks at the start of training camp
– Reduces the penalties to players who test positive for THC, eliminating any game suspensions strictly for positive tests
– Reduces the number of players subjected to testing for THC
– Increases the nanogram limit from 35 to 150 “
Texas Cannabis Collective has written about the impact of the law on these types of situations involving former NFL players and their family to include Jay and Amy Novacek. As well, Texas Cannabis Collective working with David Iriving outside of a game in Texas to inform people about the NFL’s stance on cannabis and the benefits cannabis brings to the player’s health.
David Irving was suspended indefinitely on March 1, 2019, for repeated violations of the NFL’s drug policy. Irving was suspended for the first four games of the 2018 season for testing positive. Irving announced later that he was quitting football because he was opposed to the NFL’s drug policy, specifically with regards to marijuana.
This agreement is after Major League Baseball stated in December that it will remove marijuana from its banned substances. As well, it helps players such as David Irving from facing suspensions that come with cannabis use during time off the clock. Now it’s a wait to see if the players agree to these terms and if the NFL will accept them.