Check Out The Athletes For Care Kickball Tournament
Cliff Robinson is a proud member of Athletes for Care. Athletes for Care has an amazing event coming up, which is part of the 420 Games. See more information below, and make sure to attend if you are in the area:
On Saturday July 22nd, Athletes For Care (A4C) will give people an opportunity to participate in a kickball tournament and compete against professional athletes like UFC legend Frank Shamrock, former Denver Broncos Tatum Bell, Charlie Adams and Reuben Droughns, hometown hero and former NFL-star Marques Harris, and Eben Britton formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Hosted by the annual 420 Games, proceeds from the Athletes For Care Kickball Tournament will be applied toward the development of athlete support programs designed to provide a better quality of life for athletes before, during and after a career in sports. Programs include the Afterlife Program created by Eben Britton; the Body Chek Wellness Program created by Riley Cote; and the Create Program created by Nate Jackson.
For more information on the programs, please visit http://athletesforcare.org/programs/
The 420 Games, an annual fun-filled day of activities, exercise and live music will take place at Berkeley Lake Park in Denver on Saturday, July 22nd. The event kicks off with a
4.20 mile walk, jog, skate or ride around scenic Berkeley Lake Park, followed immediately by the Athletes For Care Kickball Tournament. Registration is open to the public and VIP tickets are available at https://420games.org
About Athletes For Care:
Founded by a group of retired professional athletes from a variety of sports, including the NFL, UFC, NBA and NHL, Athletes For Care (A4C) is a community of athletes united by the collective belief that health crises such as opioid addiction, depression and chronic pain can be treated by alternative solutions like cannabis, proper nutrition, yoga and mindfulness. The organization founders include UFC legends Bas Rutten and Frank Shamrock; the NFL’s Jake Plummer, Nate Jackson, Eben Britton and Marvin Washington; Cliff Robinson from the NBA; former NHL tough guys Riley Cote and Darren McCarty and a long list of other high performance athletes. With the primary mission of supporting a better quality of life for all athletes, A4C will also help men and women achieve post-career success through a suite of programs designed by athletes and for athletes including art programs, mentoring and support group programs, online educational course work, internships, and access to business opportunities within new and emerging industries. http://athletesforcare.org
Texas’ MMA Drug Testing Policy Is Reefer Madness
Texas is home to some of the harshest cannabis laws in the country. Possession of 4 grams of concentrated cannabis is a felony in Texas, punishable by up to twenty years in prison and a $10,000 fine. To put that into perspective, an adult over 21 years of age in Oregon can possess up to one ounce (28 grams) of concentrates with no penalty at all. Oregon voters legalized cannabis in 2014.
The Lone Star State’s tough approach to cannabis can also be found in testing requirements for mixed martial arts fighters (MMA). The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) official anti-doping partner is the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), which has a THC metabolite threshold of 150 ng/mL. Most states have adopted a similar threshold, but not the State of Texas. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) has a threshold of only 15 ng/mL.
This is significant for MMA fighters who fight in Texas, and are therefore held to the lower TDLR standard. Curtis Blaydes and two other MMA fighters found out about that the hard way when they were recently fined $1,000 for testing positive for cannabis via a TDLR drug test. Mr. Blaydes and another fighter also had their wins overturned after competing and winning at UFC Fight Night 104, which did not sit well with Curtis Blaydes for obvious reasons.
“I made a mistake, but in my eyes, I feel like USADA is the only commission I should have to honor, and that’s the one I did honor. I didn’t fail their test. I feel like that’s the only thing that should count, but it is what it is. I did fail the Texas commission test, so I will take whatever the punishment is, even though I don’t agree with the punishment. But that’s what it is, they’re going to take away the win. I still know I won the fight. There’s video. Everyone else knows I won the fight. It’s not controversial, like the Kevin Lee and Chiesa fight. It’s nothing like that, so I’m over it.” Blaydes said according to MMA Fighting.
“It’s an old rule. It’s archaic. It’s just not very smart. I live in Denver, so things are different in Denver, and things are different here now (in Las Vegas). I just found out that they legalized marijuana here, I didn’t even know that. I just found out, so everyone else, it feels like they’re more forward thinking, they’re changing and evolving their rules, and I feel like Texas isn’t. They’re probably the last ones to get with it.” Blaydes went on to say in the article.
A 15 ng/mL threshold for THC metabolites is ridiculous, which is why the USADA has a threshold that is 10 times greater than that. It is feasible that a person could test positive for cannabis at that low of a threshold without even consuming it. One study found that someone could fail a drug test at a rate of three times greater than the Texas threshold for simply being around other people that are consuming cannabis.
The National Football League (NFL) had a threshold of 15 ng/mL in years past, but has since raised the threshold to 35 ng/mL, which is still too low. Ultimately athletes should not be tested for cannabis at all, regardless of what state they are competing in. The National Hockey League (NHL) has removed cannabis from its list of banned substances, and it has not been negatively impacted in any way as a result.
Professional athletes can legally consume cannabis for recreational purposes in eight states and Washington D.C., with more states virtually guaranteed to follow suit by the end of the decade. The Department of Licensing and Regulation is so far behind the times it is unreal. It is beyond time that the State of Texas, both inside and outside of the sports world, ended prohibition for responsible adults and got on the right side of history.
Uncle Cliffy Supports The Effort To Bring Sensible Cannabis Laws To New York City
New York City is home to some of the largest cannabis arrest disparities in the nation, with racial minorities getting arrested for cannabis at a significantly higher rate than non-minorities. Cliff Robinson was born and raised in New York, and while he didn’t grow up in New York City (Cliff was raised in Buffalo), he is very familiar with the harms of cannabis prohibition.
Cliff Robinson, along with the Uncle Cliffy team, strongly supports an effort by the Marijuana Arrest Research Project, which will be releasing a major report tomorrow about cannabis arrests in New York City. The report was commissioned by the Drug Policy Alliance.
“The racial disparity in arrest rates in New York City is completely unacceptable. A lot of rhetoric has been thrown around, but the math speaks for itself. Cannabis prohibition is not working in New York City and is resulting in selective enforcement. Current policy has failed, and it’s time for a more sensible approach. It is time for New York City, and the rest of the State of New York, to take the handcuffs off the plant.” said Cliff Robinson.
Below is more information about the Marijuana Arrest Research Project’s report release tomorrow via a press release from the Drug Policy Alliance:
On July 11, the Marijuana Arrest Research Project will release a major report commissioned by the Drug Policy Alliance.
The report, Unjust and Unconstitutional: 60,000 Jim Crow Marijuana Arrests in Mayor de Blasio’s New York, shows that despite changing mayoral administrations and police commissioners, the NYPD continues to make large numbers of unjust and racially-targeted marijuana possession arrests.
Despite Mayor de Blasio’s campaign promise to end racially-biased policing, marijuana possession was New York City’s fourth most commonly charged criminal offense in 2016.
Black and Latino New Yorkers continue to comprise 85 percent of the more than 60,000 people arrested for low-level marijuana possession on Mayor de Blasio’s watch. Most people arrested are young Blacks and Latinos – even though studies consistently show young Whites use marijuana at higher rates.
The new report shows that the NYPD targets Blacks and Latinos for marijuana misdemeanor enforcement all over New York City. One key finding is that in many neighborhoods where Blacks and Latinos constitute a small minority of the residents, they are arrested in much higher numbers than Whites.
The NYPD arrests Black New Yorkers at 10 times the rate of Whites in Manhattan and 15 times the rate of Whites in Staten Island.
The report includes extensive analyses of marijuana arrest data from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services and demographic data for all five boroughs. Additional findings are embargoed until the report release.
What : Press Conference for release of report, Unjust and Unconstitutional: 60,000 Jim Crow Marijuana Arrests in Mayor de Blasio’s New York
When: Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at 12 p.m.
Where: Steps of New York City Hall
Who:
- Drug Policy Alliance
- Marijuana Arrest Research Project
- LatinoJustice
- VOCAL-NY
- Brooklyn Defender Services
- Immigrant Defense Project
- Individuals directly impacted by marijuana prohibition
Cliff Robinson Joins Athletes For CARE
Cliff Robinson is proud to announce that he has joined the Athletes for CARE organization. Athletes For CARE (A4C) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating a community where athletes can find support, opportunity and purpose in life after a career in sports. They are an organization founded by a group of pro athletes who are uniting as one voice to advocate for research, education, and compassion when addressing important health issues facing athletes and the public at large.
Other members of the organization include (for pictures and bios of each athlete, click this link here):
Charlie Adams
Julie Anthony
Chris Borland
Eben Britton
Riley Cote
Greta Gaines
Marques Harris
Todd Herremans
Nate Jackson
Treyous Jarrells
Floyd Landis
Matt Lashoff
Leonard Marshall
Grant Mattos
Darren McCarty
Jim McMahon
Eugene Monroe
Derrick Morgan
Lorenzo Neal
Jake Plummer
Bas Rutten
Frank Shamrock
Shaun Smith
Rick Upchurch
Demetrin Veal
Marvin Washington
It can be difficult for a retired professional athlete to find their place in the world after their playing career is over. Having a support group can often make a very big difference in professional athlete’s lives. Athletes for CARE is an organization created by athletes, for athletes. Other professional athletes are encouraged to join the organization. To find out more about Athletes for CARE, check out their website, and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Google Plus.
Cannabis Is A Safer Alternative For Professional Athletes
The stresses and injuries that come with being a professional athlete can be significant. Competing at the highest level of any sport can take a mental toll on even the most focused, seasoned professional athlete. The amount of adrenaline involved is off the charts, which can be extremely stressful to deal with, and professional athletes need ways to unwind after competition and practice.
Going up against other world class athletes in contact sports almost always results in competitors experiencing some type of injury, if not multiple injuries. In some sports, the pain that goes along with common injuries can be very severe. Even in sports that don’t involve contact with other athletes, injuries can still occur. At the very least athletes experience pains and injuries related to wear and tear on their bodies if they train/compete long enough.
Relaxing and restoring from competition and everything that goes with it can take many different forms depending on the athlete. It is no secret that many athletes turn to alcohol to relax, and opioids or other pharmaceuticals to treat their health conditions. If that’s what grown athletes choose to do, that is certainly their prerogative, but athletes should also be able to make the safer choice and consume cannabis if they choose to do so.
Alcohol, opioids, and other pharmaceuticals are legal to use in professional sports leagues, and in many cases, widely embraced. Advertising for alcohol can be found all over arenas and stadiums, as well as during professional league broadcasts. Opioids are dispensed at alarming rates by team doctors, and athletes are told to avoid cannabis at all costs, even for medical purposes. Yet at the same time the use of more harmful pharmaceuticals are often encouraged to treat various conditions.
A study from 2015 found that cannabis is 114 times safer than alcohol. Cannabis opponents within professional sports leagues have yet to directly address this scientific fact. If professional sports leagues truly relied on science when crafting league banned substance policies, there is no way that cannabis would be on the list of banned substances while alcohol remains permitted.
As the Uncle Cliffy team has pointed out before, cannabis has been the subject of more studies than Toradol, Hydrocodone, and Tylenol – combined. All three of those substances are widely used in professional sports leagues, and while all of them are considered to have been adequately studied, reform opponents in leagues often claim that ‘there hasn’t been enough studies on cannabis.’ That claim is obviously false, proven by math alone.
Cannabis is safer than many pharmaceutical drugs that players use for everything from anxiety to sleep assistance. Common side effects for pharmaceutical grade sleep medications include dizziness, weakness, feeling “drugged” or light-headed, loss of coordination, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, upset stomach, headache, and muscle pain. Despite those common side effects, the use of pharmaceutical sleep aids by athletes is perfectly fine in professional sports leagues. However, cannabis use is prohibited – no exceptions. Cannabis helps treat muscle pain, not cause it, but somehow it continues to be banned by leagues like the NFL and NBA. How does that make any sense?
Whether it’s to relax or for restoring purposes, cannabis is a safer, and often times more effective, choice for professional athletes. Athletes that are looking for something to help them relax and/or recover from injury should give strong consideration to using cannabis. Also, professional sports leagues should recognize the science involved and treat cannabis like they do other substances that are much more harmful. The Uncle Cliffy team is by no means saying that everyone should have to use cannabis, but they should be allowed to do so if they want to as long as the use is conducted in a responsible fashion.
NBA Cannabis Prohibition Harms Two More Players
Late last week news broke that two NBA players were suspended for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA anti-drug policy. Numerous outlets have stated that the suspensions were handed down to Monta Ellis of the Indiana Pacers and Reggie Bullock of the Detroit Pistons after both players tested positive for cannabis.
According to the league’s anti-drug policy, a player is suspended 5 games for their third cannabis violation. As SB Nation points out, NBA players can only be suspended 5 games for one thing (cannabis). Many members of the sports media world made the players out to be bad actors simply for using cannabis. The players were described as ‘letting down their teams and fans.’ Such reactions from members of sports media are nothing new, but still disappointing to see.
The fact of the matter is that if all the players did was consume cannabis, a substance that has been found to be 114 times safer than alcohol, then clearly the punishment is overly harsh. Had the players consumed prescription drugs or alcohol, two substances that are more harmful than cannabis yet widely embraced by the NBA, they would have been fine and would have received no punishment. That double standard makes no sense.
These suspensions were handed down without any regard for the reason behind the players’ use, such as if the use was for medical purposes. No consideration was given as to whether or not the players’ consumption occurred in a legal state. With 8 states having legalized cannabis for adult use, and 29 states having legalized cannabis for medical use, it is quite possible that the players were consuming cannabis legally at the state level. Unfortunately those details were never even investigated because the NBA prohibits cannabis use with no exceptions.
Monta Ellis has by all accounts been an asset to every team he has played for in the NBA, including his current team (Indiana Pacers). Monta has averaged 17.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.6 assists over his NBA career that has spanned 12 seasons. The Indiana Pacers need all the firepower that they can find next year in a bid to improve on their 42-40 record from the 2016-2017 season. Losing an explosive player like Monta for something as ridiculous as cannabis use is something that the Indiana Pacers organization and its fans should be up in arms about.
Reggie Bullock has been in the NBA for 4 seasons, and is a free-agent this offseason. Reggie should be measured by his abilities on the court, but unfortunately he is likely going to have to deal with the unfair stigma that comes with being suspended for cannabis use. Reggie Bullock will now have to deal with the ‘cannabis scarlet letter’ that has hindered too many NBA careers.
Cliff Robinson was suspended three times for cannabis use during his 18 year NBA career, with the third suspension being for 5 games. The suspension came at a pivotal juncture of the season. As such, Cliff can relate to the unfair treatment that these players are currently dealing with.
“You deal with a tremendous amount of stigma when you are suspended from the league. Even after you have served your suspension you feel like an alien in the locker room, at practice, and even when you are walking around the city that you play for. The stigma doesn’t just affect the player, it also affects the players’ families. If a player has truly done something wrong, that would be one thing. But if the player decided to use a substance that is safer than alcohol, and it didn’t harm anyone, it’s completely unfair to take them off the court. It is unfair to the player, it is unfair to the fans, and ultimately it is unfair to the team. The NBA should want its players to be on the court doing what they do best, and not serving a 5 game suspension for consuming something that is legal in so many states now and is supported by a majority of Americans.” said Cliff Robinson.
Marist College, in conjunction with Yahoo, conducted a poll in which sports fans were asked the following question – ‘Would you have more or less respect for your favorite sports athlete if you learned they used marijuana in their personal life? If it makes no difference please say so.’
A substantial 68% of poll participants expressed that if their favorite sports athlete consumed cannabis that it ‘makes no difference’ to the level of respect that they have for the athlete. An additional 3% stated that they would have more respect. Only 28% of poll respondents stated that they would have less respect for an athlete that consumes cannabis.
CBS News recently released poll results which showed the highest level of support for cannabis legalization in America that they have ever recorded. A whopping 61% of poll participants stated that they support legalization.
These poll results show a level of support that is dramatically greater than in 1969 when Gallup Polling found that just 12% of Americans supported legalization. The more than 500% surge in support since 1969 is reflective of how much times have changed, and highlight how professional sports leagues that prohibit cannabis have failed to evolve with the dramatic increase in public support.
A poll conducted by The Big Lead looked specifically at the level of support for cannabis reform among sports media members. An astounding 76.5% of poll participants stated that cannabis prohibition should end.
The results of this particular poll are interesting given the fact that sports media members literally have a front row seat to see how prohibition affects pro athletes, both from a health standpoint as well as a social justice standpoint. The huge level of support among sports media members is something that cannot be highlighted enough.
A poll conducted by PRRI found that, “A majority (54%) of the public believe professional athletes should not be prohibited from using marijuana if they live in a state where it is legal.”
As the Uncle Cliffy team has pointed out previously, every Major League Baseball (MLB) team, National Basketball Association (NBA) team, and NFL team are now located in a state that has legalized cannabis in at least CBD-form. The State of Indiana (Pacers and the Colts) was the last remaining state that was a full prohibition state, but a CBD-specific bill was recently signed resulting in zero MLB, NBA, or NFL teams now being located in a 100% prohibition state.
“The math speaks for itself.” Cliff Robinson said. “Cannabis prohibition provides no benefit to professional sports leagues or its players, and a strong majority of fans, and even most members of sports media, recognize that fact. It is time that professional sports leagues that prohibit cannabis, including the NBA, also recognized that fact. These leagues need to get on the right side of history.”
image via The Inquisitr
Oregon Misses An Opportunity To Improve Its Cannabis Law
Oregon voters approved cannabis legalization in November 2014. At the time Oregon Measure 91 passed by the widest margin of victory on record for a cannabis legalization initiative. California now holds that distinction, but bragging rights are secondary to the fact that cannabis prohibition has been ended in both states, which is what really counts.
In many measurable ways cannabis legalization has worked for the State of Oregon. In 2016 alone, Oregon’s cannabis industry brought in over 60 million dollars in tax revenue, which surpassed initial projections. Oregon’s cannabis industry now supports over 12,500 jobs, with total annual wages exceeding $315 million. The State of Oregon has also saved an enormous sum of money by not enforcing the failed public policy that is cannabis prohibition. Law enforcement has since been freed up to combat real crime instead of busting people for a plant that is safer than alcohol.
Oregon’s cannabis law still needs improving, with one big hole in the law revolving around social cannabis use. Cannabis is still prohibited outside of private settings in Oregon, which creates problems for many Oregonians and tourists. Establishments and events that are open to the public, even when there is a cover fee, are required to prohibit cannabis consumption on-site. Similar public consumption laws are on the books in states that have voted to legalize, such as Washington State, where arrest data clearly shows that there continues to be a disproportionate impact on minority communities.
The unfortunate fact remains that when cannabis is prohibited even on a limited basis, selective enforcement will likely still occur. Oregon Senate Bill 307 was introduced this legislative session to help address that issue. The bill was originally aimed at legalizing cannabis lounges and provide for temporary permits for consumption at events. The legislation would have helped patients by providing places to legally consume their medicine if they were away from home, and would have helped others stay in compliance with the law if they lived in a place that prohibited consumption, such as at a care facility, a rental property, or where federal law prohibits consumption (Section 8). The bill would have also helped travelers who can legally purchase cannabis, but are often prohibited from consuming their legal cannabis at the hotel they are staying at.
Portland Trail Blazer legend Cliff Robinson publicly endorsed SB 307, and was joined by Oregon Senator Elizabeth Steiner Hayward (a family physician at OHSU), and the City of Portland. Oregon Senate Bill 307 received a significant amount of positive testimony at three public hearings because it was a sensible bill that would have benefited the State of Oregon and improved Oregon’s cannabis law. Unfortunately the opposition appears to have convinced enough members of the Oregon Legislature that the bill should not move forward, and that the bill is dead, at least for this legislative session.
The only way that the proposal could still advance this session is if the Joint Committee on Marijuana meets again, which is unlikely at best. This is clearly a missed opportunity. Team Cliffy gets that this is a new area of public policy, but social consumption reform is not unheard of. Other jurisdictions have already passed reforms and are in the process of implementing the public policy change. Team Cliffy, along with many Oregonians, can’t understand how minor concerns by ardent cannabis opponents, all of which can easily be mitigated, outweigh the social justice, economic, and compassionate reasons for passing SB 307.
SB 307 would not have lead to increased crime, just as other cannabis reforms have not led to increased crime. SB 307 would not have increased exposure and/or access to cannabis by youth because the very intent of the bill made it to where consumption would only be allowed where youth are not allowed. The US Centers for Disease Control have found that cannabis reform makes it harder for youths to gain access to cannabis, and SB 307 would have had the same effect. SB 307 would not have led to increased DUIs because consumption is already occurring in public settings in Oregon, and law enforcement would have been able to apply the same DUI protocols that they always have been able to apply in Oregon.
Opponents are basing their stances on the false assumption that if social use continues to be prohibited, that somehow that means that consumption will not occur. That ‘ostrich with its head in the sand’ approach is not realistic, and it results in continued disproportionate enforcement against some of Oregon’s most vulnerable communities. Team Cliffy is not giving up on this important issue, and plans to keep pushing for the public policy change because it is the right thing to do.
“It is unfortunate that Oregon SB 307 failed to pass this session. SB 307 would have improved Oregon’s cannabis policy and helped a lot of people, including those that don’t even consume cannabis. The bill would have increased compliance, which is a goal that everyone should want to work towards. I plan on continuing to support the effort in the future, and look forward to joining other advocates in continuing to push for this sensible reform moving forward.” said Cliff Robinson.
Thursday: Cliff Robinson To Debut Uncle Cliffy Pre-Rolls At Oregon’s Finest
Clifford Robinson was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1989 and went on to play for the Blazers for 8 seasons, helping lead the team to two NBA Finals appearances (1990 and 1992). During his time with the Trail Blazers, Cliff was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year (1993), and selected to the NBA All-Star team (1994). Cliff would go on to play for four other NBA teams during a career that spanned 18 years, but he has always loved the State of Oregon and is a proud resident of Portland.
Having experienced the stigma and persecution that comes with cannabis prohibition firsthand, both on the court and off the court, Cliff Robinson is on a mission to free the plant. That is why he submitted written testimony in support of cannabis reform legislation in Oregon, and has also publicly endorsed a cannabis legalization proposal in Connecticut. Cliff plans on working with other reform efforts across the country and leading the effort to end cannabis prohibition in professional sports leagues. Cannabis prohibition does not work, and it’s time for society and sports leagues to take a more sensible approach.
Cliff Robinson is launching his line of Uncle Cliffy cannabis products on Thursday June 8th at Oregon’s Finest, located at 736 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97232. An appearance by Cliff Robinson is planned for 4:20 p.m. at the dispensary, which will be debuting two Uncle Cliffy pre-rolls – GG4 for relaxation (indica) and J1 for performance (sativa). Uncle Cliffy pre-rolls are filled with only the best craft cannabis, produced by Pistil Point Farms, which is located in Portland, Oregon.
People that come down to the dispensary will be able to enter to win one of two basketballs autographed by Uncle Cliffy himself. In addition to Thursday’s launch at Oregon’s Finest location on Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Uncle Cliffy pre-rolls will also be available at Oregon’s Finest’s other Portland location (1327 NW Kearney St). Both stores will have autographed basketballs with contest entry information on-site. Uncle Cliffy pre-rolls will also be available at Medication Station on the Oregon Coast and Talent Health Club in Talent, Oregon starting this weekend.
Cliff Robinson is going to lead by example and fight to end the stigma and take the handcuffs off the plant. The Uncle Cliffy sports cannabis company believes that all members of the cannabis space have a duty to represent the industry responsibly, and plans to be a good steward of the plant.
What: Cliff Robinson To Appear at Oregon’s Finest cannabis dispensary
When: 4:20 p.m.
Where: 736 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97232
About Uncle Cliffy:
The Uncle Cliffy sports cannabis company was created to end the stigma surrounding cannabis and sports, and to be a voice for athletes that choose to consume cannabis. Uncle Cliffy also fights cannabis prohibition in society because prohibition has failed and has had a disproportionate impact on minority communities.
About Pistil Point Farms:
Pistil Point Cannabis operates one of the largest cannabis production brands in the world with indoor and outdoor production farms throughout Oregon and California. The company also serves as an active consultancy for cannabis projects in Michigan, Massachusetts, Ohio, and New York.
About Oregon’s Finest:
Oregon’s Finest is a local grower-owned and operated recreational cannabis dispensary located in the heart of Portland, Oregon. The company was born in 2012 when noteworthy medical growers came together to feature the finest cannabis Oregon has to offer. Oregon’s Finest prides itself on delivering award-winning, small-batch, craft cannabis directly from farm-to-flame.
The NFL’s Liquor Advertising Announcement Is Blatant Hypocrisy
The National Football League (NFL) prohibits cannabis consumption by any of its athletes, regardless of where they live, and regardless of the purpose behind the consumption. Players are drug tested and if they have more than 35 ng/mL of THC metabolites in their system, they are punished. In some cases, such as that of Seantrel Henderson of the Buffalo Bills, players can punished very harshly, even though the use was entirely medical in nature.
A big push has been underway to try to convince the NFL to change its policy. The NFL has improved its policy over the years, having raised the allowable THC metabolite limit from 15 ng/mL to 35 ng/mL, but that is not nearly enough. To put it into perspective, the Olympics allows up to 150 ng/mL. The National Hockey League (NHL) doesn’t even list cannabis as a banned substance at all. A very prominent NFL team owner, along with dozens of NFL players (current and retired) have been calling on the league to update its harmful policy, yet the NFL continues to cling to 100% prohibition.
One reason for continuing cannabis prohibition, as recently offered up by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, is that cannabis has ‘no medical value.’ As the Uncle Cliffy team pointed out at the time, that claim by Mr. Goodell is not only inaccurate, it is also harmful since it damages the constructive conversation surrounding cannabis and players’ health. Cannabis absolutely has medical value, and could do a lot to help suffering NFL players. Cannabis has been the subject of more studies than hydrocodone, toradol, and tylenol – combined. Those are three substances that the NFL widely embraces.
Another substance that the NFL widely embraces is alcohol. The NFL gladly accepts advertising dollars from the alcohol industry, with one six-year deal with Bud Light being worth $1.4 billion dollars alone. A big reason that the NFL also points to as justification for continuing cannabis prohibition is that it is being done ‘for the health of the players.’ But if you consider the fact that cannabis has been proven to be 114 times safer than alcohol, and that alcohol is embraced while cannabis is prohibited, it’s easy to see that the NFL’s current stance is incredibly hypocritical.
That hypocrisy was on further display this week when it was announced that the NFL plans to allow liquor advertising next season. Per Bleacher Report:
On Friday, Joe Flint and Suzanne Vranica of the Wall Street Journal reported all ads for distilled spirits will need to include a “prominent social responsibility message.” An NFL executive told the outlet the league is treating the policy as a “one-season test” but expects it to continue.
The NFL will allow four advertisements for hard liquor during each game, and the league’s television partners can also feature two during pregame and postgame shows, according to Flint and Vranica. Meanwhile, products like birth control, energy drinks, gambling venues and marijuana in states where it’s legal remain banned.
Another reason that the NFL has cited as justification for keeping prohibition in place is the classic ‘what about the children’ argument. The NFL seems to think that allowing players to use medical cannabis in a legal state will ‘send the wrong message to kids.’ The Uncle Cliffy team wholeheartedly agrees that cannabis should be kept away from children. But what message does it send to kids that it’s OK to accept money to advertise a substance that kills 88,000 people annually (alcohol), but that it’s not OK for a grown adult in a legal state to use a safe, effective medicine like cannabis?
The Uncle Cliffy team is not saying that alcohol should be prohibited by any means. We firmly believe that adults should be able to consume alcohol and/or cannabis if they choose, as long as it is done responsibly. The point that the Uncle Cliffy team is trying to make is why is cannabis still being prohibited if the NFL is willing to allow liquor to be advertised during games, presumably to audiences that will include children, when cannabis is clearly safer than alcohol? How does that not send the message that greed is greater than compassion?
image via Wikipedia
Pro Athletes Should Not Be Deterred by Federal Anti-Cannabis Comments
News broke this week that Steve Cook, described by the Associated Press as ‘a zealous prosecutor who was crucial in writing the Justice Department’s new policy encouraging harsher punishments for criminals,’ has turned his attention towards cannabis. No details were released as to what exactly that means for the cannabis community, but given Mr. Cook’s background, the news does not appear to be a good thing.
The news comes after anti-cannabis comments were made by members of the Trump Administration earlier this year. In February White House press secretary Sean Spicer stated that he expects ‘greater enforcement’ of federal cannabis prohibition laws. In the same month Attorney General Jeff Sessions made the following comments, per Politico:
“Most of you probably know I don’t think America is going to be a better place when more people of all ages and particularly young people start smoking pot,” Sessions said during an exchange with reporters at the Justice Department. “I believe it’s an unhealthy practice and current levels of THC in marijuana are very high compared to what they were a few years ago.”
“We’re seeing real violence around that,” Sessions said. “Experts are telling me there’s more violence around marijuana than one would think and there’s big money involved.”
“I’m definitely not a fan of expanded use of marijuana,” he said. “States they can pass the laws they choose. I would just say it does remain a violation of federal law to distribute marijuana throughout any place in the United States, whether a state legalizes it or not.”
Jeff Sessions also stated the following during a speech to state attorney generals, also earlier this year:
“I’m not sure we’re going to be a better, healthier nation if we have marijuana being sold at every corner grocery store. Marijuana is a cure for opiate abuse? Give me a break. This is the kind of argument that has been made out there. It’s just almost a desperate attempt to defend the harmlessness of marijuana or even its benefits.”
These types of comments have caused a lot of anxiety in the professional sports world were current and retired athletes have been making a serious push to reform cannabis policies in sports leagues. Some media articles have reported that the anti-cannabis comments made by members of the Trump administration have made some athletes think twice about speaking out and supporting reform for fear of persecution. The Uncle Cliffy team can understand that these comments sound scary, but continues to encourage athletes to keep pushing forward.
While it’s possible that the federal government could target a pro athlete for personal cannabis use, such a move would be unprecedented, and is highly unlikely. It is much more likely that the cannabis comments and news coming out of the White House are more rhetoric than anything. By making such comments the Trump administration, and likely sports league officials, knows that it will create a chilling effect that will possibly slow down reform efforts, or convince advocates to abandon them altogether.
The fact remains that cannabis is no more or less prohibited at the federal level and in most sports leagues than it was prior to these comments and news being published. Do they increase or decrease the odds of a player being unfairly sanctioned by the league they play in? Of course not. Players are still going to be targeted in the future, just as they have been in the past until cannabis prohibition ends in professional sports.
The use of scary rhetoric is nothing new when it comes to keeping cannabis prohibition in place. Anti-cannabis statements have been used for decades by opponents in an attempt to dishearten people’s advocacy. Sadly, it often works. Many advocates feel that it’s too much of an uphill battle and there is too much to risk so they remain silent. This cannot happen in the sports cannabis movement. Athletes need to proceed onward and continue to fight for justice and compassion.
If athletes stay quiet and let fear tactics win, prohibition will remain in place. Suffering athletes like Seantrel Henderson from the Buffalo Bills will continue to be punished by the NFL, despite the fact that Seantrel’s use is entirely for medical purposes. Pro sports leagues will continue to perpetuate institutional racism by punishing players for cannabis arrests away from their team, even though mathematical data clearly shows that law enforcement arrests minorities at a disproportionate rate compared to Caucasians. As long as prohibition remains in place, athletes will continue to be punished for using a substance that is 114 times safer than alcohol while leagues simultaneously embrace alcohol, and with it, demonstrate a level of hypocrisy that should never be tolerated.
“Professional athletes need to keep pushing forward and keep calling for reform in leagues that prohibit cannabis use. Advocating for cannabis reform is not always easy, but it is always noble, and with the truth on our side we will eventually prevail and get these leagues on the right side of history.” said Cliff Robinson.