Pubdate: Thu, 17 Nov 2016 Source: USA Today (US) Copyright: 2016 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/625HdBMl Website: http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/index.htm Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/466 Author: Tom Pelissero PLAYER HOPEFUL NFL WILL CHANGE RULES ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA One of the most outspoken proponents of marijuana as an alternative to painkillers for NFL players says he views votes in several states last week to legalize the drug as another sign that stigmas are diminishing and people are taking medical applications more seriously. "I think what it represents is recognition that cannabis is a safer alternative to opioids in the athletic space that are overprescribed and can lead to people being addicted, and athletes are certainly not immune to that," Eugene Monroe, who retired in July after seven seasons as an offensive tackle with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens, told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt