Minnesota Vikings may play without star WR Percy Harvin because the NFL won’t let him treat migraines with medical marijuana

Minnesota Vikings' Percy Harvin, NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year 2010

(NFL.com) UPDATE: Vikings rookie WR Percy Harvin missed two days of practice because of migraine headaches, but he was expected to fly to New Orleans for Sunday’s NFC Championship Game, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported, citing sources.

Vikings LT Bryant McKinnie used his Twitter page Saturday to post a short video interview with Harvin, who complained about his migraines but appeared to be in the locker room packing for the trip.

“Man, I’ve tried everything, and nothing works,” said Harvin, who’s listed as questionable to play against the Saints. “I give up.”

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(AFP) MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota — The Minnesota Vikings could be without NFL offensive rookie of the year Percy Harvin for Sunday’s NFC conference championship game at New Orleans.

Harvin, who has served as a wide receiver and kickoff returner, missed his second straight practice Friday because of migraine headaches.

It’s an ailment Harvin has dealt with most of his life, and one which cost him one game this season.

Vikings coach Brad Childress said the situation was “less than ideal” and said Harvin might not be able to fly with the team to New Orleans on Saturday.

Harvin has had migraines all of his life.  Medical marijuana has been shown to be a fantastic, non-toxic treatment for migraine pain. Some researchers believe that migraine may be related to an underproduction in our body’s natural endocannabinoid system.

So after a standout college career at Florida, Harvin’s stock in the NFL draft fell when he reportedly tested positive for inactive THC-COOH metabolites at the NFL’s scouting combine last April.  Indeed, were it not for the news of the marijuana in Harvin’s system, the Vikings probably would not have been in a position to pick up the star wide receiver who has won the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award and is a favorite of #4, the quarterback for the Vikings (whose name is an unpronounceable symbol to me.)

Then Harvin missed most of pre-season mini-camp and the NFL symposium for rookies and a key game versus Cincinnati when they were chasing the New Orleans Saints for homefield advantage.  I presume that’s because the NFL’s substance abuse policy means he cannot use medical marijuana and his lifelong migraines have come back.

Now Harvin may miss the biggest game of his career, the biggest game since their 2001 loss to the Giants and their 1999 loss to the Falcons and their 1988 loss to Redskins and their 1978 loss to the Cowboys in the NFC Championships… as a Packers fan, I’m torn, because I feel Harvin should be able to treat his pain with cannabis, but it #4 has one less talented receiver to throw to in the Superdome, maybe I can abide by the NFL’s ridiculous ban on marijuana use by players for just one more week.