NFL, NFLPA to provide $1M in funding for research into pain treatment
The NFL and NFLPA will provide $1 million in funding for research regarding pain management and cannabinoids, according to Judy Battista of NFL.com.
The league is interested in learning about how safe cannabis and CBD are as alternatives to opioids, which is a contrast to the NFL's previous stand on marijuana. For years, the league suspended players if they tested positive for the drug multiple times.
However, the NFL reversed course on punishing players who tested positive in its latest collective bargaining agreement.
Dr. Kevin Hill, the co-chair of the pain management committee, said the group is hearing mixed results from players about using medicinal marijuana to treat pain. Hill said the level of interest exceeds the level of evidence available.
Hill joined Dr. Allen Sills, the league’s chief medical officer, in questioning how cannabis would impact the performance of elite athletes.
"When we talk about having elite athletes use CBD to treat pain, we want to make sure it's, No. 1 safe, and No. 2 efficacious. I don't think we're at that point yet," Hill said.
The committee is expected to award five grants in November.