In the last few years, there’s been a renewed interest in the topic of sports injuries. That’s especially true in football, where long-term brain damage suffered by players could eventually lead to the end of the sport, at least in its current form. There’s also more attention being paid to injuries that occur below the neck, though. You’ve probably seen the grotesque video of a Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller fighting for a touchdown and dislocating his knee. He suffered so much damage that doctors in New Orleans (where the game was being played) had to act fast to make sure he didn’t lose his leg. A Boston Celtics player, Gordon Hayward, fell to the hardwood court in similarly grotesque fashion on the opening night of the NBA season in October. His ankle snapped so loudly that viewers at home could hear it on TV.
World-class athletes versus everyday athletes
Most of us aren’t world-class athletes playing against other world-class athletes, but that doesn’t mean we can’t suffer from some pretty painful injuries just by doing things like jogging or riding a bicycle regularly. Some of those injuries can be chronic, and that’s where medical marijuana comes in. For most people, their ability to use medical marijuana for pain treatment depends a lot on where they live and what kind of work they do. Companies still test for drugs even in pot-friendly locales like California and Colorado, and marijuana is still not legal on a federal level. Still, there’s at least a halfway decent chance that the average person looking for relief from pain can get a recommendation from their doctor, then find a local shop with a medical marijuana dispensary license.
NFL players can’t use medical marijuana for pain management, even though most players say they’re in a constant state of pain throughout the season. The game is incredibly hard on the body even if you aren’t dealing with concussions.
The next phase
There are signs of change afoot, however. The NFL has shown indications that they’re at least willing to study the effects of marijuana on pain management. Maybe they’re seeing that marijuana is less harmful in the long-term than pumping a player full of pills and shots just to get him on the field. And players may be able to negotiate the right to medical marijuana in their next collective bargaining agreement, although that’s still a few years away. The commissioner of the NBA has also said he’s open to the possibility of allowing players to use weed. This would be a pretty big deal, as drug testing in professional sports doesn’t exactly have a reputation for being casual and laid-back.
So where does that leave the everyday jogger who is dealing with knee problems? Resources like All About Knees can provide helpful information, but you should also see your doctor if you’re dealing with pain that won’t quit. An in-person visit can accomplish things that a trip to a website just can’t. If your doctor tells you that you’ll be dealing with pain in your ligaments for a long time, you don’t have to go straight to asking for medical marijuana. You can if you want to, but you have other options as well. Your goal should be finding a solution that works, regardless of if it’s legal weed or something else.
