Is NFL Going to Pot?

It's easy to be "high" on this year's NFL draft class.

OK, that was too easy a play on words, but what do you expect when a recent report claims that over one-third of all college prospects for this year's NFL draft have tested positive for marijuana use? Since marijuana is still illegal (like it or not), this on the surface doesn't look good for anybody who's involved. But should it really be all that surprising? And, bottom line, should it really matter?

In a bigger context, pot use barely registers on the controlled substances radar screen. I can't think of a single sport where marijuana is performance enhancing (unless maybe it's a hot dog eating contest) so it's not like these college athletes are toking up to become bigger, stronger, faster. That's where NFL GMs should be concerned if they think a marijuana smoker is prone to lethargy. It seems as if they're afraid of drafting another Ricky Williams, but pot has never seemed to affect his performance between the lines.

Keep in mind these are college kids we're talking about. Those are likely the most experimental times in a young man's (or woman's) life, for better or worse. If we were to look down upon everybody who partook in the chronic as young (or not so young) adults, some of the most accomplished and intelligent people in society might not have been allowed to rise to such, ahem, high positions.

The NFL draft is scheduled to start on April 22, or 4/22. But considering the level of marijuana use among those who are considered prospects, maybe 4/20 would be a more appropriate date. If you find that confusing, it just shows what end of the spectrum you stand on as far as marijuana awareness.