Running back Mike James hurts all over. He experiences chronic pain every day, a natural byproduct of his chosen profession. Still, he is not yet ready to walk away from his NFL career and says he knows the key to continuing: marijuana.
James, an NFL free agent, applied for a marijuana therapeutic-use exemption (TUE) from the league this offseason, which he hoped would allow him to treat his pain without fear of violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. The league denied his request last week, which James said jeopardizes his ability to sign with a team and continue his career.