I’ve reported extensively on concussions and injuries in the NFL. Recently, I spoke with former players Kyle Turley and Gerome Sapp and they told me how common it is for team doctors to push pain pills just to get them to the point where they can continue playing.
Since writing that story for The Marijuana Times, I saw Concussion, with Will Smith. I thought it was brilliant, emotional, and a smart way to convey the juxtaposition between science and sports. That said, a commercial for Opioid-Induced Constipation (OIC) ran during the Super Bowl and I think it’s offensive to all the athletes that have been and are currently addicted to doctor prescribed Opiates.
I could stop there – but as a journalist on the cannabis beat, I know there is a call for medical marijuana to be studied as a natural remedy to many injuries, including concussions. It just needs more clinical research, research that The Gridiron Cannabis Coalition hopes will come from Mr. Goddell and the NFL.
My final critique of this big pharma sponsored Super Bowl ad is the title ‘Envy’, as in, the guy with OIC is envious that other people and dogs can go while he’s stuffed up with pharmaceutical crap – and poop.
Chloe Sommers is the Executive Editor of the Never Daunted Radio Network. You can reach her on Twitter @ChloePalma