NFL Players Arrested For Cannabis Possession In Kansas As Biden Reiterates No One Should Be In Jail For Marijuana

Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive tackles Wanya Morris and Chukwuebuka Jason Godrick were arrested last week on misdemeanor cannabis possession charges and released on bond, according to the Johnson County (Kansas) Sheriff, reported the NFL.

While the NFL's stance on cannabis has loosened over the years, possession of even small amounts of marijuana remains illegal in Kansas.

The Cannabis Freedom Party (CFP), co-founded by former NFL players, Jim McMahon, Kyle Turley, and Ricky Williams, longtime cannabis consumers, issued a statement on the news of Morris and Godrick's arrest. They argued that this was another example of how the Biden Administration has failed to end the War on Drugs and keep its promise that no one should go to jail for cannabis.

“President Biden and Vice President Harris have repeatedly touted their dedication to fixing the woes of the failed Drug War," Turley stated. "Just this past week, President Biden put out a statement on social media stating, ‘No one should be in jail for merely using or possessing marijuana.’ However, these guys now have to go to court to clear their names for consuming a plant that millions of others are legally allowed to use and profit from."

See Also: Biden Champions Cannabis Reform And Pardon As Election Pressure Mounts, Marijuana Takes Center Stage

CFP further noted that the media is aiming to present this incident as "more Super Bowl Champs behaving badly," instead of asking why Kansas still has such antiquated marijuana laws.

"If cannabis usage is permissive by the President of the United States, then why are people still going to jail in Kansas," Turley asked.

NFL And Cannabis

NFL players now face reduced penalties for testing positive for marijuana after rules were amended in 2021 that obliged players to undergo one weed test per year prior to training camp, although cannabis testing is still a part of the league’s policy.

In 2023, the NFL and its players’ union announced they were funding two research grants worth over $500,000 each toward independent studies on the therapeutic benefits of CBD (cannabinoids) as a pain alternative to opioids for players with concussions. In February 2022, the NFL awarded $1 million in a grant to two teams of medical researchers to study the effects of CBD on pain management and neuroprotection from concussion among elite football players.

Travis Kelce, the star tight end of the Kansas City Chiefs estimated that between 50% to 80% of all NFL players consume marijuana. One of the reasons for the high consumption among NFL players is likely the fact that CBD is a proven alternative to opioids for pain treatment.  McMahon treated his immense pain with opioids and other painkillers until he turned to cannabis after retiring from a 15-season career.

See Also: Rescheduling Marijuana Is ‘Unjustifiable Abdication Of Responsibility’ Says Black Cannabis Lawyers Assn. Urges Full Decriminalization

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