The NFL players association unanimously approved the new drug policy this past friday. This has been a debated topic between the league and the players union since 2006. The league is not high on the new policy, according to the New York Times they said there are “significant unresolved issues”. The league and lawyers still need to sign off on the new policy, but the fact that the players union finalized the proposal is significant. When this policy passes, which it is expected to do soon, it could overturn suspension of players such as Wes Welker and Josh Gordon. This is interesting timing because the league is at a very vulnerable state following the domestic issues, causing additional pressure on the league. These policies have three main changes: marijuana will not be punished like other drugs, the commissioner has discretion over enhanced DUI bans and human growth hormones (HGH) testing will begin. USA today goes in depth with all three policies, noting the consequences per violation. This will be yet another major issue for Goddell to address, assuming he is still employed.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/13/sports/football/nfl-players-union-agrees-to-new-drug-policies.html?_r=0

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2014/09/13/nfl-new-drug-policy-three-things/15571205/