World Anti-Doping Agency to reduce penalties for recreational drug use in 2021

Athletes testing positive for recreational drugs out of competition will now receive a suspension of 1 to 3 months instead of 2 years. announced World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA).

These new rules only apply to substances that do not enhance an athlete's performance, and will come into force from January 1, 2021. Previously set at 2 years, sanctions will be reduced to 3 months unless athletes agree to follow a detoxification program, in which case the sanction will be reduced to 1 month.

«If the athlete can establish that any ingestion or consumption occurred out-of-competition and was not related to sport performance, then the period of ineligibility will be three (3) months,» WADA's new code states. «In addition, the calculated period of ineligibility [...] may be reduced to one (1) month if the athlete or other person satisfactorily completes a drug treatment program approved by the anti-doping organization.»

The list of substances that fall into the category of «abusive substances» is currently being drawn up ahead of its introduction on January 1, 2021, but is likely to include cannabis, with the exception of CBD which was removed from the banned substances list in early 2018.

Other updates include whistleblower protection and the consideration of «aggravating circumstances» when athletes have committed multiple violations of the code. An athlete could be punished for one or more violations, with cumulative penalties, but also for attempting to conceal them.