First NFL Athlete Applies for Cannabis-Based Therapeutic Use Exemption
Mike James, a free agent with the National Football League (NFL) and former running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Detroit Lions, is the first NFL athlete to apply for a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) for cannabis. James’s physician, Dr. Sue Sisley, completed the TUE application for medical cannabis on behalf of James back in March 2018. That application was recently denied by the NFL.
According to a press release from the nonprofit organization Doctors for Cannabis Regulation (DFCR) (1), after James suffered a devastating leg injury and surgery he was prescribed opioids to manage his pain. He developed a year-long dependency, which finally led him to seek alternative treatment: cannabis.
The DFCR works with a roster of current and former NFL players to persuade the league to change its regressive cannabis use policy. One of their primary reasons for advocating for this change is the fact that NFL players are four times more likely than the general population to develop an opioid dependency. Even though many states have legalized cannabis use either fully or for medical purposes, the NFL still refuses to give players a viable alternative to opioids.
In an interview with NJ.com (2), James said he was hopeful that he’d be able to keep playing football. "It is a game that I love very dearly,” he said. “I know right now I'm doing something that makes some people uncomfortable, and that I'm going against the establishment to push for a change in the way they look at this medicine. I know there's a greater purpose here for a lot of guys in this league who I consider family members."
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Ep 24, Part III: Data Transparency in Cannabis Testing with Yasha Khan
December 26th 2024In the final part of this episode, Evan Friedmann and Yasha Kahn discuss the need for a national entity to centralize cannabis data collection, moving from snapshot data to continuous updates. They emphasize the importance of accurate lab data and adverse event tracking, suggesting QR codes on packaging to report issues. Yasha suggests harsher consequences for result manipulation and suggests collaboration between state departments and federal entities to support underfunded regulators. They also discuss the potential benefits of off-the-shelf testing and the importance of stability testing. Finally, Yasha shares his top three reading recommendations for the audience.
Ep 24, Part II: Data Transparency in Cannabis Testing with Yasha Khan
December 12th 2024Evan Friedmann and Yasha Kahn, co-founder of MCR Labs, discuss the discrepancies between current regulations and data on mycotoxins and pesticides in cannabis products. They highlight the need for updated regulations based on new data, emphasizing the importance of accurate testing and labeling. They also discuss the issue of result manipulation, particularly in THC content, and the need for public health officials to address this. Yasha suggests making testing data public to enhance oversight and suggests a national entity to manage this data for better consistency and public safety.
