More and more NFL teams play in jurisdictions where the recreational use of marijuana is now legal.
In one day, the total more than tripled, from two to seven. With California and Massachusetts joining Washington and Colorado, the 49ers, Raiders, Rams, Chargers, and Patriots join the Seahawks and Broncos as teams that play in places where marijuana can be smoked for any purpose.
And if/when the Raiders move to Nevada, that won’t change; Nevada has legalized marijuana use for recreational purposes, too.
Florida is one of various states to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes. The Jaguars, Dolphins, and Buccaneers play there.
In all, that’s 10 teams playing in a state where marijuana has been legalized in some form or fashion. As that number increases, the NFL’s prohibition on marijuana use becomes more and more glaring.
The league previously has justified the ongoing ban because federal law still regards marijuana as a controlled substance. While that’s still the case, the federal government has taken no steps to shut down marijuana use in the states where it is legal.
As marijuana use becomes accepted on a widespread basis, the league’s refusal to allow players to use it for any reason becomes more glaring -- especially since NFL players spend multiple months of the year completely away from the workplace.