“Y'all go ahead, smoke it, do what you need to do,” New York Jets veteran cornerback Antonio Cromartie’s thought on what the NFL should say in regards to the legalization of marijuana in the National Football League.

Marijuana is now legalized in 20 U.S. states which leads to the question, should the NFL legalize marijuana?

With increasing amounts of injuries each year and players becoming faster, stronger and harder hitting than previous seasons, there has also been advancements in health and science technology.

If marijuana can help the physical ailments of cancer patients, why can’t it be used for NFL injuries?

According to Cromartie half of the NFL players already use it. However, there is speculation that some players may need it for pain, while many others would abuse the new possible ruling.

"There are no deaths from cannabis use. Anywhere. You can't find one," said Dr. Lester Grinspoon, professor emeritus at Harvard Medical School. There are also many health benefits due to sports injuries. Not to forget to mention that Prescription drugs kill about 100,000 people in the world each year according to ibtimes.

Marijuana could be very valuable to football related injuries. Marijuana proves useful for many types of chronic pain conditions, but patients with rheumatoid arthritis report less pain, reduced inflammation and more sleep.

“Guys popped pills, Vicodin and Oxycontin, serious stuff, at first a few and then a few more. Guys took injections, Marcaine and Toradol, potent liquid lifelines that wouldn't be out of place in a trauma ward.” - Nate Jackson Denver Broncos former tight end.

Since the 1970s, studies have called medical marijuana an effective treatment against glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness in the world.

Rather you believe that Marijuana is beneficial to athletes or not, we will just have to wait and see what commissioner Goodell says for the future of the NFL.

"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."