Pete Carroll: NFL should explore medical marijuana

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said he supports the the NFL exploring the use of medical marijuana to treat concussions and other head injuries and conditions if medical experts determine it is legitimate.

Carroll’s comments came during a press conference Monday at the Super Bowl in New Jersey.

“I would say that we have to continue to explore and compete to find ways that are going to make our game a better game and take care of our players the best way possible.”

They follow comments made last week by Commissioner Roger Goodell, who said the NFL might consider medical marijuana if evidence shows it can be an effective treatment.

“I’m not a medical expert. We will obviously follow signs. We will follow medicine and if they determine this could be a proper usage in any context, we will consider that,” Goodell said. “Our medical experts are not saying that right now.”

Carroll said while he is in favor of exploring the use of medical marijuana, he has not had in depth comments about it with his staff and other experts.

“Regardless of what other stigmas might be involved or whatever I think we have to do this because the world of medicine is trying to do this exact same thing and figure it out,” Carroll said.

Medical marijuana is now legal in 20 states and the District of Columbia, but remains a banned substance in the NFL.

A number of players have reportedly been suspended for testing positive for marijuana use. The league won’t confirm it, but it was widely reported Seahawks Brandon Browner and Walter Thurmond both tested positive this season. Thurmond was suspended for four games, while Browner was suspended indefinitely because he had previously violated league substance abuse policies. He is now appealing.

With Washington state and Colorado the two states to legalize recreational marijuana, it has been a popular topic since Denver and the Seahawks secured their spots in the Super Bowl.