Back in 2021, Olympic runner Sha’Carri Richardson was set to compete in the Tokyo Olympics but ended up being disqualified after testing positive for marijuana during the US Track & Field trials leading up to the games, causing international outcry at the decision. This incident highlighted the need for a nuanced approach to drug policies, considering both the evolving legal context and the science behind substance use.
For years the intersection of sports and substances has been a contentious issue, and marijuana use has been no exception. Historically, The Olympics, which is currently governed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), has maintained strict policies regarding drug use by its competitors. However, the growing acceptance of marijuana both culturally and legally has prompted ongoing debates and policy revisions.
Marijuana specifically has been a banned substance in Olympic sports for decades and it has been banned by WADA since it first created its current list of prohibited substances back in 2004. This policy reflects a broader approach to maintaining a level playing field and preserving the integrity of sports.
While some substances are banned for use by athletes at all times under WADA’s regulations, including anabolic agents and masking agents, marijuana falls into the category of substances prohibited specifically in-competition.
Sha’Carri Richardson Photo Credit: jenaragon94, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
This is why Richardson was punished back in 2021 in the leadup to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, but Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps faced no such punishment by the WADA and IOC when a British tabloid published a picture of him inhaling from a marijuana pipe a few months after winning 8 gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The prohibition is based on the belief that marijuana could potentially enhance performance or otherwise impact an athlete’s abilities, though scientific evidence supporting this claim is limited.
WADA defended these controversial claims in a paper published in Sports Medicine back in 2011, claiming that marijuana’s ability to reduce anxiety in users could help athletes perform better under pressure and alleviate the stress athletes experience before and during competitions. More noteworthly, WADA’s stance aligns with international drug control policies and societal norms that have historically viewed marijuana as a harmful substance.
In recent years though, there has been a significant shift in how marijuana is perceived and regulated globally. Many countries and US states have legalized marijuana for recreational or medicinal use, challenging the old paradigms of drug prohibition.
This shift has prompted calls for a re-evaluation of the policies governing its use in sports. Back in 2021, a paper published by the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness disputed WADA’s claims of marijuana as a performance enhancing drug and discussed how marijuana hinders the physiological responses necessary for high performance due to it raising blood pressure in users and decreasing strength and balance.
Dr Alain Steve Comtois, the director of the department of sports science at the University of Quebec at Montreal and a co-author of the paper also told the BBC back in 2021 that any benefits to athletes using marijuana before a major sporting event would be counteracted by the previously mentioned negative side effects, giving the WADA’s claim of marijuana as a performance-enhancing drug “no-merit”.
Michael Phelps in Action/ Photo by JD Lasica from Pleasanton, CA, US, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
In response to similar research studies and social changes, WADA has undertaken periodic reviews of its marijuana regulations. The key aspects under review include threshold levels, medical use, and public perception. When it comes to threshold levels, WADA has established specific thresholds for the presence of THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana, in athletes’ urine. If THC levels exceed the threshold, it is considered a violation. However, this threshold has been adjusted over time to reflect evolving understandings of marijuana use and its impact on performance.
In terms of the medical use of marijuana for athletes, there is increasing recognition of the therapeutic benefits of marijuana, particularly for pain management and recovery. As a result, athletes with legitimate medical needs may seek exemptions or special considerations, though the process for obtaining these exemptions remains stringent.
As with public perception and ongoing legalization trends, the growing acceptance of marijuana in various jurisdictions has influenced the dialogue around its use in sports with the IOC and WADA being increasingly aware of public sentiment and the legal landscape, which may lead to further policy adjustments in the future. Potential areas for reform include reevaluation of the prohibition status, a focus on harm reduction, and increased transparency and dialogue.
To say the least, the Olympics’ policy on marijuana is currently at a crossroads, influenced by changing legal landscapes, evolving scientific insights, and shifting cultural attitudes, especially in the western world. As the conversation around marijuana use in sports continues, the IOC and WADA face the challenge of balancing tradition with modern perspectives. Athletes, stakeholders, and fans will be watching closely as these policies evolve, seeking a fair and informed approach to drug regulation in the pursuit of sporting excellence.
AJ Favorito is a freelance writer, photographer, and filmmaker specializing in comedy and animation.
Works Cited
Levinson-King, Robin. Why Cannabis Is Still a Banned Olympics Substance, BBC, 28 July 2021, www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-58003743.
“Phelps: Photo with Marijuana Pipe Real.” ESPN, Associated Press, 1 Feb. 2009, www.espn.com/olympics/swimming/news/story?id=3876804.
“The Prohibited List.” WADA, World Anti Doping Agency, 1 Jan. 2024, www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list#search-anchor.
Young, Shalise Manza. “Sha’carri Richardson Makes Paris Olympics, Puts Tokyo Marijuana Suspension behind Her.” MSNBC, NBCUniversal News Group, 24 June 2024, www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/shacarri-richardson-paris-marijuana-rcna158636.
