NFL commissioner says injured players might someday be allowed to use medical marijuana

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he could envision injured players using legal medical marijuana at some point.

In a wide-ranging interview with ESPN.com, Goodell said he would be open to players using the drug to treat injuries in states where it was legal.

"I don't know what's going to develop as far as the next opportunity for medicine to evolve and to help either deal with pain or help deal with injuries, but we will continue to support the evolution of medicine,” Goodell said.

Marijuana use is currently banned by the league, and players are randomly tested for the presence of recreational or performance-enhancing drugs.

Goodell said players and teams should take a conservative approach to players returning to action after injuries, including concussions, an issue that has gained increasing attention as more information is gathered about the long-term effects of head injuries.

"The most important thing we can do is when you have this injury is treat it conservatively,” Goodell said.

The commissioner also said he believed the NFL was ready for an openly gay player.

"Yes,” he said. “There may be, I don't know, but the answer to that is yes.”

Watch this video report posted online by ESPN.com:

[Image via Agence France-Presse]