New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata has been suspended for the first four games of the 2019 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, the league announced on Friday.

Onyemata's suspension likely stems from a misdemeanor summons for marijuana possession issued to him by local law enforcement in February, according to ESPN. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's office searched his River Ridge, LA apartment after receiving a tip that cannabis products would be on the premises. Onyemata was subsequently found in possession of marijuana, THC oil, edibles, and hemp oil. He wasn't charged with a more serious offense because the amount of illegal substance failed to meet a specific threshold, and authorities surmised that Onyemata was in possession of the products for personal use only.

Marijuana, used for medical purposes in 33 states, has been fully legalized in 11 states and Washington D.C. Legalization has majority support across the country, and every major Democrat running for President in 2020 with the exception of former Vice President Joe Biden has included it in their platform. Only the Carolina Panthers play in a state where medicinal marijuana is prohibited. Regardless, cannabis is still on the NFL's list of substances of abuse.

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Onyemata, a native of Nigeria, was selected by the Saints in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He immigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 2011, where despite having never before seen a football game he played for the University of Manitoba. In 2015, he won the J.P. Metras Trophy as the best down lineman in Canadian amateur football.

After playing sparingly as a rookie, Onyemata began coming into his own in 2017. He was even better a year ago, helping New Orleans finish second in run defense and finishing the season with 35 tackles and four and-a-half sacks, both career-highs.