A lot has happened in the last week in regards to the overlapping of professional sports and the marijuana scene. One week ago Major League Baseball (MLB) removed marijuana from the “drugs of abuse” list, and added opiates, cocaine, fentanyl, and synthetic THC.
The MLB took huge steps in the right direction with this decision. Some people are saying that the drug of abuse list was altered in lieu of the 27 year old Los Angeles Angels’ pitcher Tyler Skaggs death earlier this summer. His autopsy found high levels of opiates and fentanyl present. Its also noted that his death was an accident.
Earlier this week Josh Gordon of the Seattle Seahawks got suspended indefinitely for violating the leagues policies on performance enhancing drugs/ drugs of abuse. As soon as the decision was made by the NFL the Seahawks had to cut ties with him and aren’t allowed to be any sort of communication. Radio hosts on 710 ESPN Seattle throughout the week have been commenting on the story with some interesting theories.
Most are revolving around the truth of the fact that Josh Gordon has agreed to be in a profession that doesn’t allow marijuana use and he has continued to use it. This creates the idea that a lot of the personalities on 710 ESPN Seattle have been touching on regarding this topic, addiction, and that they hope Gordon gets the help he needs.
This bodes the question, Can one be addicted to marjiuana? I’ve thrown this question around in my head a lot over the years. I think that an addiction is more of a case by case basis especially when talking about marijuana. I think if someone is taking steps backward in life financially, professionally, or socially to use marijuana than they may have and addiction and should seek help.
NFL players agree to follow a strict set of rules and in doing so the majority eventually get paid millions of dollars. Not smoking marijuana is one of those rules and for Josh Gordon he has had many opportunities to not test positive and has failed. Josh Gordon has let down many fans, coaches, and organizations. He has been been suspended five times since 2013 for some sort of substance abuse. In Josh Gordon’s case he definitely needs to seek some help and if he wants to continue playing in today’s NFL he needs to save the marijuana for retirement.
According to an article by Brandon Gustafson on 710 Sports Russell Wilson had talked with Josh Gordon and had this to say, “He said, ‘This is the place I want to be and the place that has helped change my life a little bit and I’m getting better,’” Wilson recalled Gordon saying. “You hope that he can come back to us and play with us, but more importantly it’s about him, it’s about his soul, his life, it’s about all the things that we all have to go through and overcome.”
Even though Gordon is suspended indefinitely, there is always a chance that he appeals the process, seeks help and or probation, and can come back to Seattle or somewhere else, given the NFL allows it.
And to close ill let a little bit of my inner Seahawks fan out. If the NFL could pull their heads out and learn a little from their older cousin MLB, Seattle would be better off in their post season run with a piece like Josh Gordon on our side.
In all seriousness, I think the future of the NFL and their players would be better off if they didn’t get reprimanded for having THC in their system. Being able to seek relief through marijuana could help the longevity of the players and the league in a number of ways.
NFL, NHL, MLS, (insert any other organizations Im forgetting), YOU NEED TO LEGALIZE CANNABIS!