The NFL Players Association has approved the latest proposed drug policy, which will bring human growth hormone (HGH) testing into the league and also increase the threshold for positive marijuana tests.
The new policy is effective immediately and the suspensions of Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick have been absolved, while Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon saw his yearlong suspension reduced to 10 games.
"We stood up and fought for what was right," NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said in a statement, via NBC Sports ProFootballTalk. "Twenty-five years ago it was NFL players that set out to make the game clean by asking for and collectively bargaining the first drug testing policy in professional sports. Today, this union and these player leaders have approved a policy that will serve the game well for generations of players to come."
HGH testing is a long-term aspect of the new drug policy and will not be implemented immediately. The marijuana and amphetamine changes will take instant effect, which is why Welker, Scandrick and Gordon saw their suspensions cut. The threshold for positive marijuana tests will increase from 15 nanograms per milliliter to 35 ng/ml because players complained that the previous number could result in a positive test via second hand marijuana smoke.
As for amphetamines, the league will be changing its stance in terms of their use in both the offseason and during the year. If a players tests positive for amphetamine use in the offseason, they will be punished under the substance-abuse policy whereas those who test positive during the season will be disciplined under the performance-enhancing drug policy.
The NFL also got the punishment it wanted for DUI convictions - an automatic two-game suspension. However, the league will not be able to suspend anyone involved in an organization following a DUI arrest; they must be convicted before punishment is handed down.
Both sides agreed to arbitration for appeals under the substance abuse and performance-enhancing drug policies; to hire three to five arbitrators and; to retain independent investigators to review cases for confidentiality breaches.
Check out the highlighted provisions on the NFLPA website.
