The NFL and the NFL Players Association have agreed to make numerous significant changes to the league’s drug policies, which will go into effect this week. The NFLPA announced and explained the changes to player agents in a memo sent out on Wednesday. According to various reports, the new policies will take effect Friday. The new policies include adjustments to testing processes and penalties.
Other disciplinary actions for violators of both the performance-enhancing drug and substance misuse policies. The amount of THC necessary to produce a positive cannabis test has been increased from 150 nanograms per milliliter to 350. In addition, teams will no longer be told of the exact substance of abuse for which a player tested positive, simply of the positive result and the subsequent sanction.
Tetrahydrocannabinol is the primary chemical responsible for marijuana’s effects on the mind. Teams will only be informed of the penalty and that the infraction resulted from a positive test and/or a missed test. They will no longer be notified about the chemical that triggered the positive. If clinically required, the medical director may provide a fentanyl test to program participants. There will be no punishment for a positive test.
Player Freedom vs. League Discipline
However, failing to attend a fentanyl-related mandatory meeting will result in a $15,000 punishment. Positive tests now carry lower fines. The fine for a second missed test has increased from one game to $45,000. If there are no more missed tests after a certain amount of time, the number of missed tests is reset to zero. All players who are currently facing discipline for missed tests will have their tests excused.
They will be judged to have not missed any tests. Additionally, the terminology about the improper use of prescribed medications has been clarified. The testing period from notification to test has been extended. Under some conditions, suspended players will be reinstated and paid, even if they continue to test positive. The athlete may now be restored if it is found that the substance has no performance-enhancing effect.
