The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has approved the league's drug policy proposal after a vote by player reps Friday, September 12.
Cleveland Browns receiver Josh Gordon (suspended for the season), Broncos receiver Wes Welker (four games), and Cowboy's defensive back Orlando Scandrick are subject to standards of the new policies. Gordon's suspension is expected to be reduced to 10 games while Welker and Scandrick are expected to be eligible to suit up this Sunday.
There will be immediate implementation of blood testing for Human Growth Hormone (HGH) for the first time in league history. Under the new policy, a third party will oversee the testing, removing commissioner Roger Goodell and the league from intervening in the process. The players will also be allowed to appeal the results.
The revised policy raises the threshold for a positive marijuana test from 15 ng/ml to 35 ng/ml, making it more consistent with standard workplace practices across the country. There had been complaints from players that, due to the higher potency of today's marijuana, simple second-hand smoke was triggering positive tests.
Positive tests for amphetamines during the offseason would now be considered a violation of the substance abuse policy. Under the old policy, they were classified as performance-enhancing drugs, and a positive test resulted in an automatic four-game suspension.
The league is cracking down on driving under the influence. A two-game suspension will be levied on any player following a conviction of DUI. However, unlike initial league propositions, no further action will be taken.
The new policy also dictates that an independent arbitrator will hear appeals for substance abuse cases and PED cases. The players union and the league will both be involved in selecting and paying for a group of 3-5 arbitrators. Independent investigators will also be retained to review cases of breached confidentiality. Anybody employed by the league, union or teams, or the players themselves, can be terminated or fined up to $500,000 for violating the confidentiality provision.