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[FantasticMrFoxdie]

Bong Bowl. Reefer Bowl. Stoner Bowl. These names are emerging leading up to this year's Super Bowl matchup between the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks.

Colorado and Washington are the only two states with legalized recreational marijuana in the country. This Superbowl matchup has begun to highlight NFL's stance on pot.

In September, The Marijuana Policy Project posted a pro-marijuana billboard just outside of Denver's Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium, encouraging the NFL not to punish players who use marijuana.

"Players can consume as much alcohol as they want without fear of punishment by the league. If they prefer to use marijuana, they risk losing their livelihood," said Mason Tvert, spokesman for MPP, in a phone interview with USA TODAY Network.

MPP also created an online petition on Change.org, calling on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to change the league's marijuana policy. The petition, now closed, received more than 11,800 signatures.

Last week, in response to a question about allowing marijuana use in the NFL, Goodell said, "I do not know what is going to develop in medicine as the next opportunity, to evolve either to help with pain or help with injuries. But we will continually support the evolution of medicine because we believe it is important to our players," according to ESPN.

Despite the ban on marijuana, two former NFL players point to marijuana use in the league. Former NFL offensive tackle Lomas Brown told The Detroit News in 2012 that at least 50% of NFL players likely smoke pot. Former Broncos tight end Nate Jackson wrote in his book Slow Getting Up about his personal use of marijuana to manage pain. Jackson wrote pain is a "big problem" in the NFL.

Regardless of the trending names like #BongBowl and #WeedBowl on Twitter, don't expect fans to smoke up at the actual game -- it's taking place in New Jersey.

USA Today - "First Bong Bowl? Matchup highlights NFL's pot stance"

It is illegal for NFL players to use marijuana even if they live in a state that legalizes pot since it is banned under the league’s "collective bargaining agreement." There are lobbyists pressuring the NFL organization to stop penalizing players who fail drug tests over the presence of marijuana in their system. They believe it may actually help them with concussions or other forms of injury. The National Hockey League only tests for performance-enhancing drugs and laws on marijuana use are relaxing for Olympic athletes.

Even if a possible marijuana bowl does not end up taking place, St. Pierre believes the viewing audience could hear plenty about pot even if Seattle and Denver don’t win their games.

“I think there will be more references to pot going into the Super Bowl week media hype than any previous NFL game in history,” he said.

A marijuana bowl would be something no one would ever forget. The Super Bowl on its own makes for its own hype, placing pot in the whole mix would be quite a combination.

The Examiner - "Marijuana Bowl: Super Bowl 2014 could be a real high for stadium fans"

San Diego Union Tribune - Super Bowl, man: NFL's top two teams from states legalizing pot (POLL INSIDE)

The NFL is getting pressured by lobbyists to stop penalizing players for smoking pot, saying it could be helpful for getting through concussions and other injuries.

The lobbyists are also calling attention to the fact the league is fond of the alcohol industry, such as their relationship with Anheuser-Busch. They pitch Bud Light as the "proud sponsor of the NFL" and even had some ads in rotation showing Budweiser and Bud Light bottles going head-to-head in what they called a "Bud Bowl" game.

Mason Tvert, spokesperson for the pro legalization Marijuana Policy Project in Denver thinks there are more important topics to be discussed instead of getting drowned out in all the beer ads. "Hopefully there will be a break in the beer commercials for some discussion about marijuana laws," he said.
Fox Sports - Denver, Seattle rooting for Marijuana Bowl?

lol this is gonna be good.

Blaze if old.

 

[xbhaskarx]

Two states that have owls are meeting in the Superb Owl

 

[Dishwalla]

You need pot to watch a Broncos/Seahawks Super Bowl. Yeesh.

 

[SoulPlaya]

If there's anything the internet is good at, it's driving something into the ground. Joke is already old.

 

[FelixOrion]

 

[Kevtones]

If California legalized the Raiders would still find a way to go 4-12.

 

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

Stoner logic in full effect.

 

[Zen_Arcade]

You need pot to watch a Broncos/Seahawks Super Bowl. Yeesh.

Yeah. It's really going to suck watching the two number one seeds in the league play in the biggest game of the year. I might just turn the TV off and look at a wall instead.

 

[Dead Man]

Stoner logic in full effect.

Yes, everyone is dead serious about their internet comments. There are no jokes or exaggeration for humorous effect.











Unless thatwasthejoke.jpg, in which case I will hang my head.

 

[CarpeDeezNutz]

Yop, that pic has been making the rounds on my fb wall.

 

[tokkun]

 

[belushy]

You need pot to watch a Broncos/Seahawks Super Bowl. Yeesh.

 

[TheLaughingStock]

You need to pot to watch Peyton Manning vs. Richard Sherman? Omaha Omaha! vs. LOB?

 

[Ryaaan14]

Someone will make a commercial about this.

Probably Doritos or Taco Bell.

 

[AkuMifune]

There is actually nothing to this at all, which is why I feel so good getting totally behind it.

stonerbowl'14 is gonna rock.

 

[FantasticMrFoxdie]

Lol..

LA Times - Super 'Bowl': Teams from states where pot is legal to face off

Puffington Post making mouths water:
Super Bowl Marijuana Recipes For The Weed Bowl: Denver vs. Seattle

Colbert jokes about it

 

[richiek]

You need pot to watch a Broncos/Seahawks Super Bowl. Yeesh.

Someone's a little salty.

 

[Something Wicked]

Haha, Ricky is definitely looking at buying a condo in downtown Denver right now.

 

[ivysaur12]

I'm down with the Pack-a-Bowl.

 

[ShaneB]

You need pot to watch a Broncos/Seahawks Super Bowl. Yeesh.