World Anti-Doping Agency to review cannabis ban for athletes

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will conduct a scientific review of cannabis next year to determine whether it should maintain the international ban on cannabis use by athletes.

WADA’s cannabis policy has been the focus of particular attention this summer following the suspension of American runner Sha’Carri Richardson the Olympics due to a positive test for THC. The organization’s executive committee announced on Tuesday that it had accepted a committee’s recommendation to review the scientific data on cannabis, which could lead to a potential policy change.

In a press release, WADA stated that the committee had agreed to conduct this review «after receiving requests from a number of stakeholders.» It did not name these stakeholders, but many athletics leagues—as well as lawmakers and President Joe Biden—have suggested that the international ban on cannabis for athletes should be reconsidered.

The organization added that cannabis would remain banned until 2022 while the review is underway.

WADA Executive Committee endorses recommendations regarding non-compliance by eight Anti-Doping Organizations ✒️

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Cannabis has long been banned by WADA, just like traditional performance-enhancing steroids such as stanozolol and nandrolone, even though it is now legal in 18 U.S. states, including Oregon, where Sha’Carri Richardson said she used cannabis to ease the pain of her mother’s death.

The anti-doping agency does not specify why cannabis—or any other specific substance—is banned, but states that such substances must meet two of the following three criteria:

• It improves, or could potentially improve, an athlete's performance
• It could pose a health risk to athletes
• She « violates the spirit of sportsmanship«