World Anti-Doping Agency to Review Cannabis Ban

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will review its cannabis ban following the suspension of Sha’Carri Richardson during the Summer Games for failing a cannabis test, Swimming World Magazine reports. Richardson’s ban renewed the debate on the WADA’s cannabis policy, and the agency’s executive committee endorsed the decision to review the cannabis rules during its Tuesday meeting.

Richardson was suspended in July and the ban also forced her off the relay team, which prevented her from competing in the Olympics. WADA said they could not overturn the suspension despite sympathizing “with the circumstances” of the case. Richardson said she used cannabis to deal with the “emotional panic” following her mother’s death. WADA praised Richardson for her “accountability for accepting that the rules are in place for athletes worldwide.”

Following the meeting, WADA President Witold Bańka said that he was “pleased with the decisions that were taken today by the Executive Committee on a range of key topics.”

“These will help further strengthen the global anti-doping program and the protection of clean sport. In particular, the decisions made by the committee in relation to compliance, the 2022 Prohibited List and in a number of science-related areas will prove to be important for the continued success of the system and for the good of athletes around the world.” — Bańka via Swimming World Magazine

In 2017, WADA removed CBD from its banned substances list, while adding synthetic cannabinoids, such as “Spice.” The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency also includes THC on its prohibited substances list.

The review will be conducted by WADA’s 14-member executive committee.