The NFL wrote a letter to the NFL Player’s Association on Tuesday, offering to work with them and study the potential use of cannabis as a pain management tool for players. The letter pointed out potential research areas including pain management for acute and chronic conditions.

The NFL Player’s Association has not yet responded to the offer, while association director DeMaurice Smith revealed in January they were working on a study focusing on less disciplinary approaches to social cannabis use.

“I do think that issues of addressing it more in a treatment and less punitive measure is appropriate,” said the association’s director. “I think it’s important to look at whether there are addiction issues. And I think it’s important to not simply assume recreation is the reason it’s being used,” he added.

Players are currently tested for cannabis and face potential discipline for positive results.