WADA to review cannabis ban
The World Anti-Doping Agency says a scientific review of the drug will be conducted next year
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced Tuesday that the organization will be reviewing the status of cannabis on its banned substance list beginning next year. The announcement comes just two months after American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson was left off the Olympic team after testing positive for the drug during the U.S. Olympic trials.
An advisory group to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will review whether cannabis should remain a banned substance, a move that comes after American track and field star Sha'Carri Richardson missed the Tokyo Games after testing positive for it. https://t.co/ixM0Kp4Nb3
— Reuters Sports (@ReutersSports) September 15, 2021
RELATED: U.S. sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson tests positive for marijuana, will miss Olympic 100m
When Richardson was suspended from competition in July, runners and non-runners alike spoke out in support of the 21-year-old. The case sparked a conversation surrounding the use of marijuana in elite athletics, and many called for a review of the drug’s illegal status. Among these critics was the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
“In addition, following receipt of requests from a number of stakeholders, the [advisory committee] endorsed the decision of the List Expert Advisory Group to initiate in 2022 a scientific review of the status of cannabis,” WADA said in a news release on their website. Cannabis will, however, remain on the banned list in 2022.
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