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NFL doctors discuss marijuana usage with researchers

Two of the NFL’s top medical personnel discussed the usage of marijuana as a medicinal compound with researchers partially funded by Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Eugene Monroe.
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Two of the NFL’s top medical personnel discussed the usage of marijuana as a medicinal compound with researchers partially funded by Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Eugene Monroe, according to the Washington Post

Jeff Miller, the NFL’s senior vice president for player health and safety, and neurological surgeon Russell Lonser, who is a member of the NFL’s head, neck and spine committee, reportedly requested the conference call with the researchers at John Hopkins and the University of Pennsylvania.

Monroe has been an outspoken advocate for medical marijuana, donating $80,000 to the research team.

Marcel Bonn-Miller, an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, told The Washington Post that the NFL wants to learn more. 

Q&A: Ravens’ Eugene Monroe speaks out in favor of medical marijuana

“They are interested in learning more about the potential for cannabinoids to help current and former players, as is evidenced by them taking the call, and also expressed a desire to learn more,” Bonn-Miller said. “They are definitely showing genuine curiosity, and they are definitely not throwing up roadblocks.”

Marijuana is currently completely outlawed by the league, although it is legal for recreational use in two NFL cities, Seattle and Denver.