The National Football League has to have a sense of humor. Why else would they open the marijuana testing period today of all days, April 20?
Yes, the window for annual NFL marijuana testing opens today, 4/20. #onterriosmithday
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 20, 2016
The NFL is wasting no time either, as Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell can confirm. He received a random test today.
of course I get a "random" drug test on 4/20…good luck with that sample
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) April 20, 2016
Bell served a two-game suspension for a DUI and marijuana possession charge last year, so being one of the first players to receive a random test today should have been somewhat expected. The funny part is how this is supposedly a “random” test, which is hard for Bell to believe. It is a bit unlikely this was purely a random test too, given his off-field history last year.
With the NFL now spreading around random tests today, the debate and conversation about the league’s stance on marijuana will continue as the debates regarding marijuana are still playing out on a state-by-state basis in this country. It is worth noting Pennsylvania just became the 24th state to legalize medical marijuana, but recreational use without a prescription is still off limits in the state that is home to Bell’s Steelers.
