The NFL and the players association (NFLPA) offer $1 million for research aimed at better understanding cannabis and CBD as substitutes for opioid-based medicines for pain management.
Chicago Sun-Times reports that the parties have agreed to put a large amount of money to find a possible alternative in pain management for National Football League’s players who often suffer from severe injuries and conditions while playing.
According to the paper, Dr Allen Sills, the NFL’s Chief Medical Officer, have put cannabis and CBD as “areas” the league want to examine in the future.
Dr Sills said: “Players are always looking to find treatments that are going to improve their quality of life.
“But at the same time, players are significantly concerned about the impact on performance.”
The league will offer grants for a few parties to carry out research and help the players to get the best possible treatment for their conditions.
The NFL’s different approach to cannabis is not new: as we reported last year, NFL players are no longer to be suspended for cannabis use.
The players have welcomed the change in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, while a significant number of retired players have spoken out about their cannabis use in the past.
CBD has been gaining fans all over the sports world. We also reported that athletes participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (postponed to Summer 2021) will be able to use CBD during the games after the World Anti-Doping Agency removed CBD from its list of banned substances.
However, this latest decision from the NFL could have a bigger impact on the whole of the sporting world than it might first appear.
If medical cannabis is found to be an appropriate substitute to opioid-based medicines, then the global medical cannabis industry could get a massive boost in the long run.
The hosts of the ‘Not That High’ Canex podcast will also be talking about the use of medical cannabis and CBD in sports this week’s podcast.
