Kaiti Sullivan | MLive.com

Don't Edit

By Darryl Slater and Matt Lombardo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Legal marijuana is coming to New Jersey, so we recently surveyed 19 Jets and Giants players about that topic. We granted them anonymity in exchange for their honesty on these three questions:

1. What do you think of New Jersey legalizing weed?

2. Should the NFL test players for weed?

3. If the NFL stopped testing for weed -- and since it's about to be legal in New Jersey -- would you use it, either recreationally or for medicinal, pain-killing purposes?

Here is how the players responded.

Don't Edit

AP Photo

What is NFL's current weed testing policy?

Here's how things worked in 2018 for players who hadn't previously tested positive: Between April 20 (yes, April 20) and Aug. 9, players are tested once. And provided they pass, that's it -- not just for weed testing, but for all recreational drugs. When a player is notified of his test, he has four hours to comply.

Players who have previously tested positive are placed in the league's substance abuse program and are subject to more regular testing. Click here to see the NFL's full substance abuse policy.

Don't Edit

How many NFL players smoke weed?

A lot -- at least according to former star tight end Martellus Bennett, who estimated earlier this year that 89 percent of the league smokes it.

Now, on to our survey questions -- and the answers from Jets and Giants players ...

Don't Edit

QUESTION 1: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF NEW JERSEY LEGALIZING WEED?

Here is how Jets and Giants players responded to this question ...

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

"I think it's great. Any time you can use something to help guys out that's a natural substance, then I think it's good for the human body. I think it's good for the athlete body. Anything natural to substitute for what is currently going on. Because now, guys are just getting handed [pain-killing] pills and told, 'Hey, take three before you go to sleep.' Essentially, it's messing up your body by doing that. Guys are getting addicted to it. I would rather have somebody be addicted to a natural substance, as opposed to opioids."

Don't Edit

Latest NFL QB rankings

Don't Edit

"Man, my thoughts are: People do it anyway, so making it legal, they can tax it and they can make money off of it. It'll probably lower the crime rate, too, because people are not selling it or stealing it or doing stuff to get it. It'll probably lower the crime rate and keep a lot of people out of jail. I think it'll be a good thing."

Don't Edit

"I think it's normal at this point. I'm not surprised or shocked. I'm surprised it hasn't been done in every state. I feel like it should've been happening. There are a lot people that are suffering from charges from that. Hopefully, that helps them out, too, with reduced time or letting guys out. Some guys have felonies and they're not even allowed to vote anymore. I feel like it should clear up a lot of stuff in the criminal justice system, too. They made it seem like it was a gateway drug. My own opinion, I don't think it's a gateway drug."

Don't Edit

"I think at some point it's going to be legal everywhere, so I don't see any problem with it being legal in New Jersey right now. I don't think people would use it more if it was legal or illegal. I think people smoke now anyway. I don't think it being legal has anything to do with it. I think the reason why they're making it legal is to monetize it, the government."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

"I think it was a smart move, just based off of how every state can benefit from it. You don't have to tax the people as much. You can tax products that people want to get. I think it's a good idea to do it nationally, not even just in this state."

Don't Edit

Rookie of Year predictions

Don't Edit

"I don't do it, so I really don't know."

Don't Edit

"I really haven't given it much thought. I just found out."

Don't Edit

"I think it's cool that they're allowing it to be legal. I'm sure there are going to be some laws, in some way, to kind of limit the consumption out in public. But it's cool that they're allowing people to do it."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

"I guess that's good for whoever uses it. If people are using it and they're going to legalize it, it helps both parties [the people and the government]. It's a win-win."

Don't Edit

Should Jets fire Mike Maccagnan?

Don't Edit

"The way the country is going, the country is leaning toward more liberal [drug policies]. You see more and more states legalizing it. So I don't think there's anything wrong with New Jersey legalizing it."

Don't Edit

"There are other places where it's legalized, so I don't see a big thing about it being legalized here. It's like everybody is starting to catch up. And before you know it, I feel like it's going to be legal everywhere. The way I could see it being beneficial is probably just with the crime rates. A lot of people do serious time for that."

Don't Edit

"Whoever it benefits, I hope it's going to do good for them. I haven't heard that weed kills anybody, so I guess it's OK. It might be pretty good for some people. It might go down, the crime rate. I think it'll be good actually. You've got a lot of people out there who go to jail over weed. But I really haven't heard of weed killing anybody. I'd rather someone be out on the road high on weed than drunk."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

"To be honest, I really don't have an opinion on it."

Don't Edit

NFL coach hot seat rankings

Don't Edit

"I didn't know much about it. I'm not really into that topic off the field anyway. But I've heard that around the world, it generates a lot of business. People try to open their own shops with it and grow their own."

Don't Edit

"It's not even a big deal to me, because I stay away from that. It's kind of hard for me to answer."

Don't Edit

"It's just a matter of time before it becomes legal everywhere in the U.S. Obviously, it's becoming more and more acceptable. The biggest thing is about how they can regulate it, tax it, and all of that. I look at this almost like it's the end of the Prohibition Era."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

"New Jersey is just the latest state, right? It's already legal in California, Washington, and places like that. When you look at alcohol, it's a lot less dangerous to smoke weed than it is to drink and drive, or anything like that."

Don't Edit

NFL power rankings

Don't Edit

"From a health standpoint, if alcohol and tobacco are legal, and it's all for profit, I don't see anything wrong with marijuana. I think it's good for the economy. I don't have enough data on it, as far as negative effects as far as communities go. Individually, I don't think it's harmful. I don't think it's a problem. I think it's really a personal preference."

Don't Edit

"Are you serious? I'm not really around marijuana much. I don't do it. It wouldn't be a big deal to me, but that's crazy news that the state would legalize it."

Don't Edit

QUESTION 2: SHOULD THE NFL TEST PLAYERS FOR WEED?

Here is how Jets and Giants players responded to this question ...

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

"No, because our industry requires our bodies. They say it's similar to a car crash [playing in an NFL game]. Our bodies are constantly aching. Anything to substitute for what currently is going on, with a natural substance, I'm all for that. I think [pain pills have] become like candy, given out like candy. They're using this marijuana thing, and they're taking money from guys [with suspensions]. It's a natural substance. It's legal in certain states. You hear about guys after the game that have so much pain and they're just popping pills regularly. That's a problem, a major problem. And I don't know why it hasn't been solved yet. In 2018, we're still talking about this."

Don't Edit

5 observations from Giants win vs. Bucs

Don't Edit

"I think no. There are people in the world that may think they need it. As far as the athlete, it's not really giving them super powers. It's just something that they may want to do in their life. I don't think we should be tested as athletes."

Don't Edit

"Me personally, I don't think they should test for it, because some guys, they use it for pain. It's not like they're abusing the drug. I don't see it as a drug, because it's a plant. It's natural. They allow you to drink alcohol, but alcohol can do more damage to your body than marijuana does."

Don't Edit

"Personally, I don't see what the purpose is of doing it. Because if it's used for other medical benefits for everybody else, why test for it? You've got people who struggle with their glaucoma or whatever. And it just helps them out with their eyesight. Just with different things, it's medically proven that it helps out. So why test for it?"

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

"I feel like it really shouldn't matter. I don't really feel like weed is that harmful for you. Nobody ever died off it. They probably shouldn't [test for it]. Everybody does what they do, whether it's weed, drinking, or some other type of substance. If they want to do it, I would just say: Let them do it. It's their body."

Don't Edit

Points, turnovers come in bunches for Giants: Are wins next?

Don't Edit

"I think the NFL will always test for it because it's a drug. But it doesn't really matter what I think, to be honest."

Don't Edit

"I don't know if I've seen the negative side of guys being on it and playing. Alcohol is more of an issue, in my opinion, than weed is. Guys smoke all the time. Guys are smoking. They stop testing us after camp. So guys are still smoking during the season. You have plenty of guys who smoke around the league. I've got friends around the league. It's not doing anything, so what's the point of testing them during the offseason?"

Don't Edit

"I mean, yeah, because you're playing a sport. You don't want somebody out there high, about to get hit. I guess you probably should test for it, or have some type of control over it."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

"That's a sticky one. I really don't know. I know a lot of players who got addicted to some type of opioid after surgery. If they could just use something else that's not as dangerous, I think it would benefit them. I don't think [weed] could be something that could terrorize a team or make a team break apart."

Don't Edit

Eli Manning report card: Redemption tour?

Don't Edit

"I don't smoke weed, so I really don't have an opinion on it. I don't really think about it too much."

Don't Edit

"I'm neither here nor there on the subject. I feel like there are pros and cons to each side. I feel like if they don't [test], then maybe it could get out of hand with some of the players in the NFL. Or if they do, maybe they'll get pushback or maybe there will be more people in the drug program. I don't know."

Don't Edit

"It's nothing I've really given much thought to -- and wouldn't really affect me. So I'm not really at the heart of the issue."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

"I don't think so, because you're just tested once for it, so it's not like they're really testing a lot. I don't see what that one test does. So they shouldn't even test for it. It's kind of hard to fail it, because they tell you when it's coming. That's why I say it's hard to fail it. Some people have just really got a problem with it and they just can't put it down. Or they just like to take their chances."

Don't Edit

Is spark for Giants pass rush sitting on practice squad?

Don't Edit

"I feel like they're going to continue to test for it. It's just a way of having control. It's still a very big business. I feel like if marijuana is going to be legal in the state that you're playing in, you shouldn't be tested for something that you could walk into a store and get."

Don't Edit

"There are some people that feel strongly about it because it serves as a medicine sometimes, I guess. Some people, they get injuries and they feel like it relaxes them. I've heard it works pretty effectively. I guess it depends. Maybe if you're injured, you could get a pass to use it, and they know not to test you for it."

Don't Edit

"I think research shows that there's positive medical results from using it. As more and more research comes out, I think that it should be something that we should be considered to be able to use."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

"When you look at the amount of painkillers that players and other people use, it's tough when you look at the side effects of that stuff that's acceptable to use -- but then test us at least once a year for marijuana."

Don't Edit

How Alex Smith's injury shakes up NFC East

Don't Edit

"The NFL as a whole is a business. You have to look at it like this: If you aren't testing guys for weed, and they're getting in trouble for it in the offseason, then that's a bad reflection on the league. From that standpoint, I'd probably stay out of the NFL and how they'd legislate rules. They run a business. If someone gets away from the team, back home or something like that, and they aren't testing for it, that's a bad look for the NFL."

Don't Edit

"I don't think the league should test for it, especially if you're living in a place that allows the community to do it. But I understand us as players are in a different category than other people. But I don't think they should test us."

Don't Edit

QUESTION 3: IF THE NFL STOPPED TESTING FOR WEED -- AND SINCE IT'S ABOUT TO BE LEGAL IN NEW JERSEY -- WOULD YOU USE IT, EITHER RECREATIONALLY OR MEDICINALLY?

Here is how Jets and Giants players responded to this question ...

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

"Both. I mean, who doesn't do it? You find me a handful of people that don't, like with their friends, or even of any ethnic group or whatever. Everybody does it. It's a naturally grown substance that makes your body feel good. Everybody is stressed out all the time from regular work and situations. It just cools you down, calms you down. I think guys will mainly use it for work maintenance. We're constantly hurt. You can do that and play a ball game and still be straight. You can function regularly. This is something that's been argued for a long time. But I think most guys are using it for both."

Don't Edit

10 NFL Draft first-round sleepers

Don't Edit

"I mean, I grew up in California, so there's your answer. It's been legal for a while in California. So that's my answer. It's been legal."

Don't Edit

"Probably not, because I promised my mom that I would never do it [again after failing a drug test in college]. I'm going to keep my promise. But I know guys who do it, and they tell me their reasons behind doing it, and I can kind of understand. It's just not me."

Don't Edit

"I don't know. If it was something you could do, and it helps you, I probably would do it. It's like medication. If that's something that they did [with the NFL no longer testing] and the trainers and stuff recommended it as well, that's something I would do."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

"Medicinally, it could be for a lot of guys. Recreational, guys are going to do that, I feel, regardless. For me personally, if it's something that's not frowned upon in the NFL, I don't see why it would hurt. But if it's something that's going to start affecting my game, I wouldn't be doing it."

Don't Edit

Who would current NFL players pick first to build a franchise around? | NFL player survey

Don't Edit

"All I can say is that everything I've read and everything I've heard, there hasn't been any truly negative effects from it. I hear [about] patients with seizures using marijuana to cure that. I'm not against it. But would it be my first choice? No."

Don't Edit

"Nah, I wouldn't [use it] recreationally. If it was for medical purposes and somebody prescribed it to me, that's different. Medical reasons, I feel like it would be better than shoving Percocets down people's throats. I would prefer that over the pills definitely. This sport is a 100 percent injury rate. Even for me, when the pills are given for after surgery, I really don't even take them. I don't like how they make you feel. I feel like that's a gateway drug. I don't mess with [painkilling pills], because my mother had a crack cocaine addiction for a long time. And I grew up seeing that, so I wouldn't want to get involved with that."

Don't Edit

"I've gone 23 years without using it, so I don't really see myself using it."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

"I wouldn't use it. I don't smoke. And I don't use it for any medicinal reasons. It's not my cup of tea."

Don't Edit

Jets stock report

Don't Edit

"That ain't my cup of tea personally. I handle my own business and recovery a different way. I'm sure a lot of people would be happy if they did [stop testing for weed in the NFL]. Everybody has their own preference on what they choose to use."

Don't Edit

"I don't smoke. But if it could heal me or help me in any type of way, then I probably would, if it could save me from a disease or something. I probably would do it then. But just going to get it, I wouldn't do that. I've never thought it was cool to smoke."

Don't Edit

"That would probably be a discussion I'd have to have with my health care provider. And after listening to what they say -- and what my health care needs [are] -- go from there. It would have to be on that sort of basis."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

"For me personally, no. I've been around it growing up. My peers in high school, they were around it a lot. But it was never for me, no matter if it's for recreation or recovery purposes. It's just never been something I've been interested in."

Don't Edit

NFL draft order

Don't Edit

"Me personally, no. I'm not into that. But I just know that a lot of people are. It'll be better for everybody when it's legalized. I've heard it's good for recovery. So you never know. It could be beneficial in that way."

Don't Edit

[Player deferred to his initial answer -- in response to question No. 1 -- about how he doesn't smoke.]

Don't Edit

"Nah, not at all. It's just something that I choose not to do and have never really seen the point of it. Never was interested."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

"It wouldn't change my thoughts on whether I would or wouldn't use."

Don't Edit

NFL MVP predictions

Don't Edit

"I don't smoke, but I don't think if it were legal that it would suddenly make me want to."

Don't Edit

"I wouldn't smoke if they made it legal. It wouldn't change my thoughts on it very much."

Don't Edit

Black Monday LIVE updates

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.

Matt Lombardo may be reached at MLombardo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardoNFL