Following the suspension of US sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said it will look into changing the rules. A few months later, the organization announced they would conduct scientific research in 2022 to determine if the international ban of cannabis on athletes should remain in place. While they conduct their research, cannabis will remain prohibited until they release their updated rules, if any. 

Criticism

There was a large amount of public and political outcry this past summer when Richardson received her suspension. With a growing acceptance of cannabis both within the U.S. and around the world, activists say there shouldn’t be a ban for athletes. However, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), which works alongside WADA, says cannabis still poses health and safety risks to athletes as well as a potential for performance enhancement. 

While research has pointed to the opposite, USADA hasn’t conducted their own research, which is why their stance remains firm. In regards to Richardson, representatives of USADA had said they would consider the potential for a rule change. This is similar to what WADA announced over the summer. However, it seems WADA is moving forward with the potential rule change. No word has come from the USADA yet. 

Response

Representative Steven Cohen from Tennessee, D, spoke to fellow lawmakers following Richardson’s suspension. “Marijuana is not a performance-enhancing drug unless you’re entered in the Coney Island hot dog eating contest on the Fourth of July,” he said. “To take her right to appear, her dream, away from her, is absurd.

“Congress should see that we don’t have these problems in the future. We deschedule marijuana. We leave it up to the states. If [Richardson had] gotten rip-roaring drunk on margaritas, Red Bull or whatever else you drink out there these days… She’d have been fine because it wouldn’t have shown up in her system, and if it had shown up in her system––if she’d have been .02 alcohol––she still would have been allowed to run,” Cohen said.

Others have spoken out as well, either following Richardon’s suspension, or more recently after WADA announced its research efforts. Richard Pound was the first president of WADA. Since Richardson’s suspension, he’s argued cannabis shouldn’t be banned for athletes. Now with research prospects, he has hope that the rules will change. Pound said he is “always in favor of a scientific review of any substance that is on the Prohibited List so that we can be acting on the basis of established facts, both as to the effects of the substance (if any) and the appropriate range of sanctions (if any).”

Next Steps

Athletes will still have to wait before they can consume cannabis without consequence. As more information becomes available from both WADA and the USADA, we will update you with the latest.

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