I think the odd part is that you are arguing for less stringent marijuana punishments for habitual offenders rather than more stringent punishments for violators of the conduct code.
Rather than Gordon being punished less, Rice should be punished more.
But regardless of that, Rice likely wasn't punished more based on a couple of factors...mainly being that there was probably precedent for the two games suspension and Rice not being convicted of the crime.
Why would it be odd? The NFLPA has marijuana use and the punishments stemming from the policy concerning it as one of the major things they want changed. It's not just in the NFL, marijuana use is pervasive everywhere I have lived. From West Virginia, to Atlanta, to now in Orlando, Florida. I don't see it as any more harmful than alcohol (which is far worse imo and a huge component of violent crime....including DA), and laws are become more and more relaxed about it every day in this country. That said, those are personal beliefs of mine.
However, more than anything, the conduct policy is receiving serious backlash around the country because it isn't consistent. And if we're talking about not being convicted of anything.....then what about Ben Roethlisberger? After the evidence came out, it was pretty apparent he was targeted by girls seeking paychecks (from the first crazy woman to the girl in Georgia wearing a "DTF" necklace). No evidence of any wrong doing, nothing came back from a rape kit result....and.....6 games, for what? All it takes is gold diggers to make accusations and you get a huge suspension, yet you have video, and admittance from Rice, and a slap on the wrist?
How can Albert Haynseworth stomp on a defenseless football player's head (a huge man in pads, during a game) and get FIVE games when Rice gets two for hitting a defenseless woman so hard he knocks her out? Watch Kieth Olbermann's piece on it, it sums it up very well.
