Commissioner Roger Goodell says the NFL is studying the medical benefits of marijuana use but is concerned that there may be harmful side effects. (1:02)

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell delivered a strong statement against marijuana use Friday, telling ESPN Radio that the league sees no medical benefits and adding that "it may not be healthy for the players long term."

Goodell's comments, made in an interview with ESPN's Mike & Mike, were consistent with his previous statements. But they came amid a federal lawsuit filed by more than 1,800 former players who say they suffered long-term health problems because of improper and deceptive prescription drug-distribution practices by NFL teams.

Advocates have suggested that marijuana could be a healthier way to manage pain than prescription painkillers. Goodell, however, reiterated the league is following advice from independent medical advisers who have not recommended marijuana use for medical uses.

"Listen, you're ingesting smoke, so that's not usually a very positive thing that people would say. It does have addictive nature. There are a lot of compounds in marijuana that may not be healthy for the players long-term." Roger Goodell

"We've been studying that through our advisers," Goodell said. "To date, they haven't said, 'This is a change we think you should make that is in the best interest of the health and safety of our players.' If they do, we're certainly going to consider that. But to date, they haven't really said that.

Goodell did add that "medical marijuana is something that is evolving, and that's something that at some point the medical advisers may come to us and say, 'This is something you should consider.'"

Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana. Seven states allow for recreational use, but the NFL still bans its use and disciplines players when random tests show 35 nanograms per milliliter in their system, according to its policy and program on substances of abuse.

Goodell's comments Friday morning suggest the league has no plans to reconsider that stance.

"I think you still have to look at a lot of aspects of marijuana use," Goodell said. "Is it something that can be negative to the health of our players?

"Listen, you're ingesting smoke, so that's not usually a very positive thing that people would say. It does have addictive nature. There are a lot of compounds in marijuana that may not be healthy for the players long term. All of those things have to be considered.

"And it's not as simple as someone just wants to feel better after a game. We really want to help our players in that circumstance, but I want to make sure that the negative consequences aren't something that is going to be something that we'll be held accountable for some years down the road."

ESPN's John Barr contributed to this story.