The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced Tuesday its plans to review the status of cannabis on the banned substance list, a move that comes in the wake of U.S. track star Sha’Carri Richardson being excluded from competing at the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for marijuana.
The scientific review will be conducted by an advisory group to WADA in 2022.
“Following receipt of requests from a number of stakeholders, the (executive committee) endorsed the decision of the List Expert Advisory Group to initiate in 2022 a scientific review of the status of cannabis,” a WADA statement read.
“Cannabis is currently prohibited in competition and will continue to be in 2022.”
Richardson tested positive for THC, the chemical found in cannabis and marijuana, during the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials in June, earning her a one-month suspension that wiped out her results that had initially slotted her onto the Olympic team in the women’s 100 meters.
The suspension sparked an outcry of support for Richardson and a call for a rule review on cannabis from several organizations, including the White House and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). The 21-year-old had reportedly been using cannabis to cope with the death of her mother.
Prior to the Olympics in July, the White House was in pursuit of a meeting with WADA to discuss cannabis’ position as a banned substance.
While Richardson’s positive test was the most high-profile we’ve seen recently, former U.S. National Team swimmer Tate Jackson also received a one-month ban earlier this year after testing positive for THC. Despite the suspension ending in late April, Jackson ultimately did not compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials in June.
While I’m not a user myself, it seems like declassifying pots day has come.
You have whole countries that have legalized it (Canada for example) and for most sports this is simply not a performance enhancer.
I’m also very pro anti-doping so I wouldn’t want something being used that would enhance. Just have never understood pot (I get the calm and focus might help part).
And we may be getting to a point we are going to punish athletes for doing something that is now completely legal and accepted as “OK” in a home country (or state).
WADA just needs to let this one go.
That doctor sure looks like he’s into that jar of piss.
ridiculous that it is still a banned substance
now for the ncaa…. they out here pulling kids hair and banning them for using pot in the summer out of season
The biggest issue for me about this article is why the person looking at the yellow sample of whatever has removed his facecovering to below his lips. What is he doing? And why are his glasses at the bottom of his nose? What is he looking at so intently? Colour? Floaty bits? The label is on the other side of the container? Is he about to sniff it? Drink it? Why this picture? WHY?
…….and why does he look like Elton John?
It is only prohibited in competition and should continue to be changed:
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“Cannabis is currently prohibited in competition and will continue to be in 2022.”
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