Since this is supposively isn't about Cannabis, can we take it out of the subject line? That will just cause confusion...
Also, suspension (while not great) do give the team more options when cutting down to the 53 man roster.
Like last year the Packers wanting to keep injured CB Ento (spelling) on the 53 man roster, so they could IR him and he was potentially available to return.
The Packers had to decide whom to release for two or three days and hope no one claims, before putting Ento on IR and resigning said player.
Which happened with Lazard a couple of years ago, and I still can't believe they choose him, we were lucky not to lose him.
But now they can simply put Sternberger on the suspended list and can keep 54 guys for the 53 man roster cut down.