Explained: Why marijuana got US sprinter ShaCarri Richardson banned

Despite having the second-fastest 100 meters timing this year, US sprinter
Sha’Carri Richardson will not be going will not be running at the Tokyo
Olympics. This is because the sprinter has been banned for a month for using
marijuana.

While the effect of marijuana on sports performance is debated, it belongs
in the list of banned substances of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), an
independent foundation set up in 1999 to promote, coordinate and monitor the
fight against drugs in sports.

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Here’s an overview of the rules around marijuana use and what led the US
sprinter to get banned:

Who decides what is a prohibited substance?

The decision on which substances are prohibited is taken by the World
Anti-Doping Agency (Wada). The agency comes out with a list of substances,
revised every year, following extensive consultation.

Where’s marijuana on the list of prohibited substances?

Wada designates three kinds of substances for monitoring. These include:
substances prohibited at all times, substances prohibited during competitions
and substances banned only in specific sports

Marijuana belongs in the second list — substances prohibited during
competitions. Therefore, athletes are barred from using marijuana while
participating in competitions.

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Why did ShaCarri’ Richardson get banned?

During the US Olympic Track and Field Trials, Richardson finished with a
time of 10.72 seconds, the second-fastest this year. However, the 21-year-old’s
drug test returned positive for marijuana causing her to lose her place at the
Olympics in Tokyo.  

The ban is for three months for athletes who can prove that they had used
marijuana outside of competition. Richardson said that she had consumed
marijuana in early June, before the track event, upon learning of her biological
mother’s death.

Also Read | US sprint sensation Richardson tests positive for marijuana, could miss Tokyo

What are Wada’s rules on marijuana?

According to Wada, a substance is banned if it has been seen to do one of
these things: enhance, or have potential to enhance, sports performance; represent
an actual or potential health risk; and, violate the spirit of sport.

The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) says that marijuana is banned by Wada
because athletes who consume marijuana during competitions are deemed to “potentially
endanger themselves and others because of increased risk taking, slower
reaction times and poor executive function or decision making”.

However, Wada has exempted cannabidiol (CBD) from the category of marijuana
derivatives, according to USADA.