Scott Schneider's article "No: Potential Risks too
Great for Collegiate Competitors: Front Burner" was featured
in Orlando Sentinel on August 7, 2015.
Various members of the University of Florida's College World
Series pitching staff throw upward of 90 mph. Now, imagine one of
those flamethrowers lights up a joint moments before taking the
mound. How comfortable would you feel stepping in the batter's
box? Worst case scenario, what would be the media and legal
reaction if an impaired pitcher plunked a batter in the head,
causing serious injury?
And therein lies at least part of the problem for the NCAA. To
be clear, under federal law, marijuana is still listed as a
Schedule I drug — a drug with no acceptable medical use in
treatment and a high potential for abuse. In 46 states, smoking
marijuana is illegal. And as the Colorado Supreme Court recently
clarified, even in states where smoking pot will not get you thrown
in jail, it can get you fired from your job.
