The NFL's substance-abuse and player conduct policies have come under scrutiny in the recent past for a number of reasons. With that as the backdrop, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones made a plea to the league this week and it has to do with what would be a significant rules change moving forward.
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Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk brings word that Jones, as part of an owners-only meeting, was pushing for the NFL to take away its ban on marijuana.
"Jones also raised the question of the NFL's position on marijuana. Jones, per a source who heard the comments, wants the league to drop its prohibition on marijuana use. Jones was reminded that the issue falls under the umbrella of collective bargaining, which would require the players to make one or more concessions in exchange for significant changes to the marijuana prohibition.
Separately, the league office reiterated to PFT its position that any changes to the substance-abuse policy would occur within the confines of labor negotiations, and that the league is willing to listen to the medical community about any potential changes to the rules regarding marijuana."
It absolutely has to be noted that Jones has a personal incentive to do this, as he is the owner (and general manager) of a team that has recent substance-abuse suspensions for Randy Gregory, Rolando McClain and Demarcus Lawrence. Still, this isn't as radical of a position as you may think, especially given the fact that multiple states have done away with bans on marijuana over the last few years.
Jerry Jones probably won't be successful here but he is thinking outside the box... even if personal gain might be at the forefront.
