HIGH TIME

NFL Mellows on Marijuana

But gets tough on HGH.

The NFL and the players union have decided to ease up on recreational drug penalties. There will be a significantly higher threshold for a positive marijuana test, up from 15 to 35 nanograms of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per milliliter in their urine. Players who test positive for amphetamines for the first time will get referred to the league’s substance-abuse program instead of being suspended. Under these new agreements, certain penalties will be retroactively reduced, meaning Wes Welker can return to the Broncos, as well as Orlando Scandrick to the Cowboys and Stedman Bailey to the Rams. While the NFL may be easing up on recreational drugs, the league and the union have agreed to test players for human growth hormone for the first time. The NFL has had a notoriously harsh stance towards drugs, especially in comparison to its response towards domestic abuse.