In response to a recent post on Twitter, the former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver let his beliefs about the substance be known.
This past week, it was revealed that Minnesota Vikings running back Roc Thomas is currently facing criminal charges after marijuana was found in his residence during a search by police. During questioning, Thomas claimed that he had the substance in his apartment for personal use.
Due to this incident, the Vikings running back will likely face discipline from the NFL in the future for violating their substance abuse policy. A policy that some believe should not include penalties for marijuana, a substance that can be used by players to help cope with the pain from they injuries suffer out of the field.
One person who supports this belief is former Minnesota All-Pro receiver and recent Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Randy Moss.
After the Twitter account for the ESPN show “First Take” made a post on Friday asking if the NFL should continue to test their players for marijuana, Moss commented with a simple, “NO,” in the replies.
This isn’t the first time the former Vikings receiver has expressed his beliefs about the substance and the league’s policies regarding it. Back in 2016, Moss said, “the NFL just needs to loosen up and let everybody live,” when asked about the league punishing players for using marijuana.
During his playing days, the former Minnesota pass catcher did admit that he used marijuana from time to time. But Moss also said that he never felt that he ever abused the substance or let it take control of him when he was a player.
In 2001, when he was 24-years-old, the Hall of Fame receiver tested positive for marijuana and the NFL placed him in their substance abuse program. This was Moss’ one and only failed drug test during his time in the league and he was never fined or suspended for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
The former Vikings receiver is one of many former NFL players to advocate for the use of marijuana. Many of them feel it is a better way for players to treat their pain than some of the prescription painkillers that can be highly addictive.
For marijuana, the reputation of the substance is certainly becoming more lax these days as 10 states around the United States currently allow people to use it recreationally. But until it becomes this way for the entire country, it’s probably going to be difficult for the NFL to allow their players to use marijuana without the fear of consequence.