Marijuana Policy For Pro Athletes Should Be Changed
For international athletes who may decide to use cannabis the rules must change,”. This is what the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) stated as an answer to members of Congress. Which took place this past week following the suspension of runner Sha’Carri Richardson over a positive cannabis test. Independently, the White House is now reportedly attempting to hold a meeting with international sports regulators to review the policy.
Members of congress Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamie Raskin recently sent a letter to the U.S. athletics governing body. This was in regards to the punishment against Richardson. The Olympic runner came forth about using marijuana inside of a legal state after discovering the death of her mother. Earlier this week, USADA expressed compassion for Richardson. As well they indicated that it may be time for a change in the marijuana prohibition. However the latest announcement, in a message to the legislators, explicitly calls for a policy change.
Furthermore, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy is working to ensure a meeting with the World Anti-Doping Agency, This would be for cannabis policies on the international sports scene. The Financial Times reported on Friday that the Biden administration intends to discuss issues “including the timeframe for testing, and the basis for the consideration of cannabis as a performance enhancing drug.”
This past week ONDCP tried to brush off the report, with a tweet. Saying that it is not seeking to pressure WADA to “loosen restrictions” or “rethink” cannabis policies for athletes. Yet is merely seeking “additional information” on how those rules are carried out.
What Will Come Next For Cannabis Use And International Athletes
USADA, for its part, said in its letter to Ocasio-Cortez and Raskin, that it “agrees that Ms. Richardson’s exclusion from the Tokyo Olympic Games is a heartbreaking situation and that the World Anti-Doping Agency’s rules concerning marijuana must change.”
However, the organization said it and WADA are “in very different positions of authority and we sometimes have different views when it comes to what substances are included, or not included, on the WADA Prohibited List and what consequences result from a Positive Test.”
“The anti-doping rules are legislated by WADA based on the consensus of Stakeholders worldwide. USADA does not make or have a direct vote on the anti-doping rules but, as a WADA Code Signatory, we are required to enforce them,” it said. “During the Stakeholder comment phase of the rule-making process, USADA has advocated for more flexible and fair rules to address the use of marijuana by athletes.”
“While those rules have indeed become more flexible and fair over time, USADA has argued for still more changes and will continue to advocate for changes going forward. Because USADA is required to enforce the rules as written, however, it has gone to great lengths to ensure that all athletes are informed through our education programs of the risk and potential consequences of a positive marijuana test during competition.”
This depicts the most forceful remarks the nation’s top governing body on international sports has made. Especially following the news brake of Richardson’s suspension. It…
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