Crazy that the country that made opium famous, would have such a harsh response to a little bit of weed. Early twentieth-century Japan was an opium empire. Now, athletes can’t even get high after games. What gives?

This wasn’t just any football team, this team was a God damn powerhouse. The Phoenix, as they are known, won 21 national championships between 1955 and 2017.

In August, the police searched the football teams dorms in Tokyo. A player was arrested for possession of cannabis and an illegal stimulant. Nihon University then suspended all football activities. They did end up allowing the team to continue as they felt one players actions should not affect the entire team, until rumblings began that there were multiple players getting high. Police search the dorm again:

Nihon issued a statement: “This is no longer about individual criminal behavior. Our management and supervisory responsibility as a university has now been called into question.”

September 2nd, Nihon suspends all football activity moving forward and the dorm is closed. In October, a second player is arrested for buying marijuana. A third player is arrested in November and on November 28th, the University announces the American football program will be terminated. The program that won 21 national titles. For all you travelers out there, keep in mind, Japan does not fuck around with weed. I’m looking at you Brittney Griner.