By Luke Sumpter


As the current trend of cannabis legalization continues, major sports leagues and championships are weighing in on the use of the plant in football (NFL), basketball (NBA), mixed martial arts (MMA), and hockey (NHL). The National Football League (NFL) in the US made it clear where they stand on the issue on June 8th, 2021. A commission formed between the league and the Players Association announced its plans to award up to $1 million in grants for researchers to explore the therapeutic effects of cannabis.

Cannabis legalization in the US remains blurry and confusing. Although nineteen states have legalized cannabis for adult use, the plant remains illegal at the federal level. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) classes cannabis as a Schedule 1 substance. By definition, this means the plant has no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

The Hurdles to Quality Cannabis Research in the US

Every time an NFL player, or any other athlete, decides to take cannabis, they’re technically committing a federal crime. But research from around the world contradicts the DEA’s categorisation of the plant. The discovery of the endocannabinoid system, a slew of promising ongoing studies, and the inherent safety of the herb compared to other substances poke serious holes in the agency's logic.

Currently, federal law pitches a curveball at scientists looking to study the effects on the plant. Once they obtain a licence from the DEA and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), researchers are limited to poor-quality cannabis samples[1] grown at the University of Mississippi, which don’t reflect the flowers available in the medical and recreational markets. Historically, most research has set out to prove the dangers of cannabis, not its potential benefits.

This massive research donation from the NFL and Players Association hopes to place the ball in the federal government’s court, so to speak. The commission definitely has an agenda tied to their grants. The league has become much more accepting of cannabis in the last few years and recognises the benefits it can bring to players. But doesn't the NFL test for weed? Well, the league struck a collective bargaining agreement in 2020 that changed the NFL weed policy and resulted in more lenient drug testing. The league stated it won’t test players for cannabis[2] during the offseason.

Cannabis could also serve as an important tool for current and retired NFL athletes, and we’re not talking about merely getting stoned here. Ongoing studies are exploring the anti-inflammatory and pain-killing potential of the herb, whereas others are eyeing up cannabis as a potential treatment for traumatic brain injury—a condition that plagues retired players.

Stoking the flames of fruitful cannabis research essentially puts pressure on the DEA and federal government. Not only does it drive a more thorough understanding of the plant, but it helps to change public perception when such a large and respected organisation sides with medical cannabis. With this donation, the NFL joins the ranks of giants such as Amazon and several investment banks to lobby the government to change its stance on cannabis. As many of us are aware, money usually makes things move quicker.

Medical Marijuana in the NFL: Research & Benefits to Players

Could Cannabis Help NFL Players Bear the Brunt of Injuries?

But what can the NFL truly gain from pouring big bucks into cannabis research? Well, this area of study could theoretically open up an avenue of therapeutics to maintain the quality of life of players, both at the height of their careers and into retirement and old age.

  • Pain

Imagine spending your entire career running full-speed into athletic men. Sure, NFL athletes train their bodies to handle this load, but the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones can only adapt to a certain degree. Constant impact over time takes a big toll on the body. While players might not experience constant pain until later in their career, retired NFL athletes take painkillers at four times the rate of the general population.

Unfortunately, addiction-forming opioids are often the first port of call. A study conducted at Washington University surveyed 644 players who retired from the league between 1979 and 2008. The research found that 52% of the players used opioids, and 71% of them met the criteria for abuse[3].

But opioids aren’t the only molecules suitable for treating pain. Ongoing studies are exploring the role of cannabis in taking the edge off chronic aches, throbbing, and discomfort.

The plant contains over 500 molecules of interest, and over 100 of these are categorised as cannabinoids. These chemicals bind to specialised receptors throughout our bodies that (largely) belong to the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This network regulates a wide range of physiological processes, including pain modulation.

Let’s take THC, for example. This psychotropic cannabinoid binds to a receptor called CB1, found predominantly throughout the nervous system. This site modulates pain regulation[4] and occurs throughout areas of the CNS that control pain signalling. Cannabis researchers are exploring the role of THC and other cannabinoids in relation to various forms of chronic pain[5], including neuropathic and inflammatory pain.

But cannabinoids aren’t the only compounds in cannabis that pain researchers are studying. Scientists are currently investigating the aromatic terpene molecules humulene, geraniol, linalool, and pinene for their pain-killing potential[6].

  • Traumatic Brain Injury

NFL players don’t just take a constant impact on the body. They also experience frequent blunt force trauma to the head. Findings suggest that the vast majority of NFL players develop a progressive brain condition known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) as a result of repeated blows to the head and bouts of concussion.

Also known as “punch drunk” syndrome in boxers, the condition involves the shrinking of the brain and the presence of misfolded proteins that cause cells to malfunction. The symptoms of CTE include:

Short-term memory loss Changes in mood
Confusion and disorientation Thinking difficulties
Slurred speech Parkinsonism



Despite the seriousness of this condition, medical professionals find it difficult to diagnose, as routine brain scans often fail to detect the signs. Therefore, the condition mostly shows up postmortem. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association analised the brains[7] of 111 deceased former NFL players, and 110 of them were found to have CTE—a dire prognosis for living players.

Now, researchers are probing cannabis in search of therapeutics for the condition, and a former NFL star has stepped up to the mark to foot the bill. Calvin Johnson, who famously played for the Detroit Lions, is donating a six-figure sum[8] to his own company Primitive. He hopes his funding will put his medical cannabis business in the position to develop a treatment for CTE.

  • Fracture

Running full-speed into another person increases the odds of a fracture. Who’d have guessed? These collisions can cause breaks in bones all over the body, from the foot and hand to the spine. Players that experience a fracture undergo the routine treatment of a cast and a bout of physiotherapy.

Remember when we mentioned cannabinoid receptors show up all over the body? Well, some of them reside in the membrane of bone cells. Our bones are in a constant state of remodelling. Cells called osteoblasts lay down new tissues, whereas osteoclasts strip away old bone. Nutrition, exercise, and the ECS play an important role in maintaining this balance, and disruptions can lead to conditions such as osteoporosis (a decline in bone density).

The presence of the ECS in the skeleton means cannabinoids can modulate this system. For example, CB2 receptors are expressed in both osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and stimulate bone formation[9]. Researchers are exploring if cannabinoids could play a role in fracture healing through this mechanism.

Scientists from Tel Aviv in Israel are exploring the effects of CBD (cannabidiol) on mid-femoral (the large bone that spans from the hip to the knee) fractures in rats. So far, they’ve tested the non-psychotropic cannabinoid on these breaks over eight weeks[10].

Medical Marijuana in the NFL: Research & Benefits to Players

But researchers aren’t stopping at CBD. There are over 100 phytocannabinoids in weed, after all. They’re also exploring CBG (cannabigerol) for possible bone-healing properties[11]. Known as the mother cannabinoid, this molecule serves as the precursor to THCA and CBDA (when in the form of CBGA).

Are there any more fracture-healing candidates in the trichomes of cannabis flowers? It appears possible. Scientists are exploring the terpene beta-caryophyllene in the area of bone remodelling. This molecule occurs as one of the most prominent terpenes in cannabis, as well as other herbs and spices such as lemon balm, clover, and rosemary. Beta-caryophyllene also works as a cannabinoid, as it directly binds to CB2 receptors, making it an interesting candidate[12] for post-fracture bone remodelling.

  • Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) involves the degeneration of joint cartilage. The constant impact experienced by NFL athletes causes wear and tear in this connective tissue and eventually starts to affect the underlying bone. Previous knee injuries also increase the risk of developing OA, and NFL players experience frequent tears in the ligaments that keep the knee joint stable. This means they’re especially prone to early-onset OA[13].

So, where does cannabis come in? Well, researchers have identified ECS components in synovial tissue—membranes that surround the joints. Studies are now moving ahead to explore the role of cannabinoids[14] specifically on OA joint pain and inflammation.

  • Recovery

NFL players, and most athletes for that matter, put their bodies through their paces almost every day. From conditioning and strength training to competing, players walk the fine line between adequate recovery and career-ending injury. As the movers of the body, the muscles take a particularly brutal blow—hence why you often see top-tier athletes plunge into ice baths and walk into cryogenic chambers as part of their recovery programme.

Now, researchers are looking into CBD as a means of augmenting athletic recovery strategies. Scientists are exploring the effects of the cannabinoid when it comes to muscle soreness and recovery[15].

  • Anxiety

Can you imagine performing in a high-stakes game in front of millions of people, where one mistake could cost your team the match and leave your reputation in tatters? Of course, NFL players have access to some of the best sports psychologists in the world to help them work through any anxiety or unease. But CBD might also help them overcome excess worrying and get their head in the game. Researchers are exploring the role of CBD in reducing anxiety during high-pressure situations[16]. Could we soon see NFL players popping CBD capsules before a match to ease their nerves?

The Future of Medical Cannabis in American Football

It's hard to deny that some sort of change is likely to occur in the NFL's weed policy—and probably in the near future. As other sports authorities are easing restrictions, American football's biggest force has little reason not to follow suit, especially given the plant's potential benefits for the many short and long-term injuries caused by the sport.

External Resources:
  1. Cannabis research stalled by federal inaction https://cen.acs.org
  2. NFL Players Can Smoke Marijuana Without Discipline Starting 4/20 https://www.insider.com
  3. Retired NFL players using painkillers – Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis https://medicine.wustl.edu
  4. Cannabinoids and Pain: New Insights From Old Molecules https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Frontiers | Cannabinoids and Pain: New Insights From Old Molecules | Pharmacology https://www.frontiersin.org
  6. Cannabis sativa terpenes are cannabimimetic and selectively enhance cannabinoid activity | Scientific Reports https://www.nature.com
  7. High Prevalence of Evidence of CTE in Brains of Deceased Football Players - For The Media - JAMA Network https://media.jamanetwork.com
  8. Can Marijuana Help Treat CTE? Former NFL Star Partners With Harvard To Find Out https://www.greenentrepreneur.com
  9. Cannabinoids and the skeleton: from marijuana to reversal of bone loss - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  10. Cannabidiol, a Major Non-Psychotropic Cannabis Constituent Enhances Fracture Healing and Stimulates Lysyl Hydroxylase Activity in Osteoblasts https://asbmr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
  11. Chapter 99 - Potential Medical Uses of Cannabigerol: A Brief Overview https://www.sciencedirect.com
  12. β-Caryophyllene promotes osteoblastic mineralization, and suppresses osteoclastogenesis and adipogenesis in mouse bone marrow cultures in vitro https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  13. Early-onset arthritis in retired National Football League players - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  14. Cannabis and joints: scientific evidence for the alleviation of osteoarthritis pain by cannabinoids https://www.sciencedirect.com
  15. Cannabidiol and Sports Performance: a Narrative Review of Relevant Evidence and Recommendations for Future Research https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  16. Cannabidiol Reduces the Anxiety Induced by Simulated Public Speaking in Treatment-Naïve Social Phobia Patients https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: