If he's stupid enough to snort it before a game maybe. Otherwise it would be out of his system

He deserves 2 years. If you want to be stupid and take cocaine in season you deserve a 2 year ban.

Yes it ain't steroids but there needs to be a deterrent to stop players doing stuff like this.

Losing 2 years of a short career seems like a good strong deterrent to me and very much in favour.

2 years for performance enhancing drug, yes. But for recreational drugs its too long imo, 6 months is about right.

This is Zak Hardaker we are talking about - he is probably stupid enough.
The time it takes to pass through the system depends on many factors (how much is taken in the first place, what is used to 'flush' the cocaine etc).
He clarly does have it in his system during the game, as it was detected in a test taken immediately following it!

Why the arbitrary 2 years?

There's nothing inherently wrong with taking recreational drugs. Sports star or not. Alcohol is drug. Should we ban players for 2 years for that? What's the fundamental difference between alcohol and cocaine or weed? Just because in this particular country, at this particular time, alcohol is a legal drug and the others aren't.

It does. If he likes the odd line of peruvian marching powder, you'd think even he would have the brains to wait till the season is over.

Fair enough

If players are still prepared to risk it knowing they could face a 2 year ban, then how many are going to risk it if you start reducing that to just 6 months?

I wouldn't have professional athletes drinking either if it was my choice. The point is that cocaine is illegal. Dunno how anyone can say the RFL should be leainent towards a "bit of sniff". I have read plenty of comments on social media with people arguing a bit of sniff shouldn't carry punishment.

The RFL would be a laughing stock if they didn't issue harsh punishments.

Dunno how anyone can think it's okay for professional athlete to take an illegal drug and get no punishment.

There's no debate to be had on whether its a recreational or a PED, its on the WADA list so any pro athlete should know not to take it unless they are prepared for the 2 yr penalty.

Pro athletes should not be taking alcohol & certainly not in the system when playing in my view. But if you can see nothing inherently wrong with breaking the law of the land then what's the point of having laws?