Dallas Cowboys: Suspensions like Randy Gregory’s may become illegal

The Dallas Cowboys oft-suspended Randy Gregory may be a few years ahead of his time because the day may soon come when the NFL can no longer suspend players for weed.

Randy Gregory. Remember that guy? Some of you may not want to while others like me all-too-often irrationally see him as this franchise’s defensive savior. Whatever camp you’re in, if you’re a Dallas Cowboys fan, you’re invested in a guy who’s spent more time on the commissioner’s suspended list than in a Cowboys uniform.

But the day may soon come when failed marijuana tests are no longer cause for punishment. That’s because as society leans towards legalization, and states follow suit and end their prohibition, legislation could soon make corporate punishment a violation of an employee’s rights. Heck, we’re already seeing it.

As Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio pointed out, Nevada has lead the way, prohibiting companies from refusing to hire employees based on failed drug tests. And since the NFL is now in Las Vegas, this will include organizations like the Raiders.

Says Florio,

"“The Nevada law carves a path that could support an argument that employers cannot discipline in any way employees who test positive for marijuana. And similar laws could pop up on other states that have legalized marijuana use.”"

Nevada already prohibits businesses from using failed drug tests as a reason not to hire applicants. It’s only logical the next step in this involves discrimination laws against punishing otherwise “legal” behavior of current employees. It’s also likely if the NFL is forced to abide by state laws, they’ll do so uniformly across the entire league for the sake of consistency and fairness.

expanded laws like Nevada’s may expedite change and even make it illegal for private corporations like the NFL from discriminating against its employees.

We’ve discussed before there is reason to believe the NFL is dragging their feet on marijuana reform only because the players want it and the NFL can use it as a concession in upcoming collective bargaining agreement (CBA.) discussions. In fact, the NFL and NFLPA have been talking quite a while about allowing cannabidiol (CBDs) to treat pain and other medical conditions.

Randy Gregory’s situation notwithstanding, the NFL has seemed to soften on their enforcement of marijuana violations as of late and seem willing to change their tune under a new CBA.

Randy Gregory, who is currently serving indefinite suspension, stands to benefit from such changes. Gregory is said to use it for self-medication and not just for fun and recreation. Players in his situation would likely fall into the first phase of league acceptance.

Entering the final year of the current CBA, it’s unlikely anything will change between now and the start of the 2020 season. But it would be shocking if things didn’t fundamentally change under the new CBA that has yet to be negotiated.

It may sound like too little too late for Randy Gregory, but at just 27-years-old, Gregory has a lot of football left in him – if only the league would let him play.

The NFL already seems to be on the verge of a renaissance regarding marijuana use but expanded laws like Nevada’s may expedite change and even make it illegal for private corporations like the NFL from discriminating against its employees.

• Published on 01/30/2020 at 12:01 PM
• Last updated at 01/30/2020 at 10:32 AM