Legalization of the recreational use of marijuana in Washington and Colorado doesn’t change the NFL’s position on pot use.
“The NFL’s policy is collectively bargained and will continue to apply in the same manner it has for decades,” spokesman Greg Aiello told USA Today. “Marijuana remains prohibited under the NFL substance abuse program.”
Players and media types were abuzz with questions about the impact the establishment of marijuana laws might have on pro sports league and the NCAA, but the universal response from the governing bodies across athletics has been in tune with the NFL in that “legal” doesn’t translate to mean permissible.
Former Broncos running back LenDale White, who admitted in 2010 to marijuana use and was suspended for testing positive for the drug, apparently followed voting results Tuesday night. A series of messages were posting to his Twitter account (@THEREAL_LENDALE), starting with a screenshot of CNN declaring Barack Obama had been re-elected, posted these two messages: “Weed is legal” and, a short time later, “Co becomes 1st state ever to legalize weed!! Wow”