Tom Pelissero

USA TODAY Sports

USA TODAY Sports has obtained the term sheets on new substance abuse and performance enhancing drug policies the NFL Players Association issued to its board of representatives before they were unanimously approved Friday night.

The league still must sign the term sheets, and lawyers on both sides must finalize documents before the policy goes into effect. If and when that happens, here are three key changes:

1. Marijuana won't be punished like other drugs

All players will be tested at least once per league year during training camp for substances of abuse, including marijuana. However, it'll take more violations to reach the advanced discipline stages for marijuana than for cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, opioids, phencyclidine or MDMA.

A first offense for any of those drugs enters a player into Stage One of the intervention program for up to 90 days. If a player tests positive again while in Stage One, he'll be subject to an immediate three-week fine and advanced to Stage Two.

In Stage Two, players will be subject to unannounced testing up to 10 times a month and marijuana is separated into its own discipline structure. Here's how the term sheet lays it out:

If player is in the program by testing positive for either marijuana (MJ) or other banned substances of abuse (O):

Next violation relating to MJ 2 game fine

Next violation relating to O 4 game fine

Player's last discipline was 2 game fine for MJ:

Next violation relating to MJ 4 game fine

Next violation relating to O 4 game fine

Player's last discipline was 4 game fine for MJ or O:

Next violation relating to MJ 4 game suspension

Next violation relating to O 4 game suspension, entry into Stage 3 for O

Player's last discipline was for 4 game suspension for MJ or O:

Next violation relating to MJ 10 game suspension, entry into Stage 3

Next violation relating to O Banishment, can reinstatement after 1 year

Player's last discipline was for 10 game suspension for MJ:

Next violation relating to MJ Banishment, can reinstatement after 1 year

The threshold for a positive marijuana test will now be 35 nanograms per milliliter – up from 15 ng/ml under the 2006 drug policy, but still lower than the standards used by Major League Baseball (50 ng/ml) and WADA (150 ng/ml).

Discipline for marijuana violations after the last game of the 2013 season will be adjusted under the new marijuana discipline schedule, except that suspensions will not convert to fines.

Players remain in Stage Two for a minimum of one year and in Stage Three for a minimum of two years. Under the old policy, a player in Stage Three remained there for the rest of his career.

2. Commissioner has discretion over enhanced DUI bans

Though a two-game suspension without pay is the new standard for a first offense related to alcohol and operating a vehicle, the commissioner can impose increased discipline under "aggravating circumstances." Per the term sheet:

If the Commissioner finds that there were aggravating circumstances, including but not limited to felonious conduct, extreme intoxication (BAC of .015% or more), property damage or serious injury or death to the Player or a third party, and/or if the Player has had prior drug or alcohol-related misconduct, increased discipline may be imposed.

Discipline for a second or subsequent offense, absent aggravating circumstances, will be a suspension without pay for eight regular and/or postseason games as determined by the Commissioner.

If players are convicted or admit to any violation of law relating to any substance of abuse other than alcohol:

Absent aggravating circumstances, discipline for a first offense will be a suspension without pay for up to four regular and/or post-season games. If the Commissioner finds that there were aggravating circumstances, including but not limited to felonious conduct or serious injury or death of third parties, and/or if the Player has had prior drug or alcohol-related misconduct, increased discipline may be imposed.

Discipline for a second or subsequent offense, absent aggravating circumstances, will be a suspension without pay for a minimum of six up to ten regular and/or post-season games. A Player's treatment history may be considered by the Commissioner in determining the appropriate level of discipline.

3. HGH testing will begin soon

Lost amidst all the talk about changes to the substance abuse policy – and the suspensions they could retroactively impact – is the fact the new PED policy finally will include blood testing for human growth hormone.

The term sheet says the league and union "aim to commence hGH testing within 14 days of the date of agreement on this Policy," which could be by the end of the month, depending how quickly things get finalized.

There will be no population study to determine the appropriate "decision limit" for NFL players, as the union had pushed for and the league at one point agreed. (Instead, players have the right to challenge the science of the isoforms test.) So, the league can go straight into full-blown testing – and discipline.

Five players from eight randomly selected teams will be selected by a computer program for blood testing in the preseason and the regular season. Five players on each club during the postseason also will be tested, and 10% of each team's players will be randomly selected for offseason testing. There is pre-employment and reasonable cause testing, too.

Discipline will be structured the same way it is for other PEDs. Per the term sheet:

Step One/First Violation: The first time a Player violates this Policy by testing positive for a Prohibited Substance; attempting to substitute, dilute or adulterate a specimen; manipulating a test result; or by violation of Section 5 (violations of law & other sufficient credible evidence based violations), he will be suspended without pay pursuant to the following schedule:

- Positive Test Result for Diuretic or Masking Agent but No Banned Substance:

Two (2) regular and/or postseason games.

- Positive Test Result for Stimulant or Anabolic Agent

Four (4) regular and/or postseason games.

If a Player tests positive for a banned stimulant outside of the Playing Season (first preseason game through player's teams last game), the Player will not be subject to discipline under this Policy, but will instead be treated as a behavioral referral to the Policy and Program on Substances of Abuse.

- Positive Test Result Plus a Diuretic or Masking Agent/Attempt to Substitute, Dilute or Adulterate a Specimen/Attempt to Manipulate a Test Result/Violation of Section 5:

Six (6) regular and/or postseason games.

Step Two/Second Violation: The second time a Player violates this Policy by testing positive for a Prohibited Substance; attempting to substitute, dilute or adulterate a specimen; manipulating a test result; or by violation of Section 5, he will be suspended without pay for:

Ten (10) regular and/or postseason games

Step Three: The third time a Player violates the Policy by testing positive for a Prohibited Substance; attempting to substitute, dilute or adulterate a specimen; manipulating a test result; or by violation of Section 5:

Banishment from the NFL for a period of at least two (2) seasons

One note on retroactive discipline here: Players who had a violation after the last game of the 2013 season arising from a first stimulant positive test will have suspensions immediately lifted and will enter into the substance abuse program.