The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has faced backlash for its decision to keep marijuana on the list of prohibited substances for athletes, especially after the suspension of U.S. sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson from the Tokyo Olympics. However, some members of WADA’s Prohibited List Expert Advisory Group have defended the ban, arguing that marijuana use violates the “spirit of sport” and poses health and safety risks.
Marijuana and the “spirit of sport”
In an editorial published in the journal Addiction, several members of WADA’s panel summarized the reasons that they decided to maintain the marijuana ban last year, despite growing calls to end the policy. They said that marijuana use by athletes runs counter to the “spirit of sport”, which “encompasses a number of universal values of sport, and four aspects that were particularly relevant to the discussion on cannabis remaining in the list.” These aspects are:
- Excellence in performance: this could be undermined by consumption of cannabis during the in-competition period.
- Character and education: the role model aspect is not compatible with use of a substance that is still illegal in most parts of the world.
- Respect for rules and laws: its use violates the law in most countries in the world, in addition to Anti-Doping Organization rules in some instances.
- Respect for self and other participants: the welfare and safety of other participants may be compromised by impaired judgment associated with the presence of cannabis in an athlete in-competition.
The group also said that there was considerable agreement within WADA about another criterion for inclusion in the banned substances list, which concerns “actual or potential risk to the health of the athlete.” They said that marijuana can cause physical impairment, as well as possible psychiatric symptoms, and that its use during adolescence can inhibit cognitive development. They concluded that the “potential of cannabis use to compromise the health and safety of the athlete qualifies the application of this criterion.”
Marijuana and performance enhancement
The editorial acknowledged that perspectives were “mixed” over whether marijuana “enhances or has the potential to enhance sport performance.” They cited some studies that suggested that marijuana may have some positive effects on pain relief, anxiety reduction, and bronchodilation, but also noted that these effects may vary depending on the dose, route of administration, and individual factors. They also pointed out that marijuana may have negative effects on reaction time, motor coordination, memory, and decision making, which could impair performance in some sports.
The group said that they did not find sufficient evidence to support or reject the claim that marijuana is performance-enhancing, but they argued that this was not a decisive factor for keeping it on the list. They said that WADA’s mandate is not only to prevent doping for performance enhancement, but also to protect the health of athletes and the integrity of sport.
Marijuana and social changes
The editorial also addressed the changing legal and social status of marijuana around the world, as more countries and states have legalized or decriminalized its use for medical or recreational purposes. They said that WADA is aware of these changes and has made some adjustments to its policy, such as raising the threshold for a positive test from 15 nanograms per milliliter to 150 ng/mL in 2013, to account for consumption outside of competitions, which is not prohibited under its rules. They also said that WADA has classified THC as a “Substance of Abuse” in its 2021 code, which allows for more flexibility in sanctioning athletes who test positive for marijuana.
However, they maintained that these changes do not justify removing marijuana from the list, as WADA’s policy is not based on legal status alone, but also on scientific evidence and ethical principles. They said that WADA’s policy is consistent with its role as an international regulator of anti-doping in sport, and that it respects the autonomy of national and regional authorities to make their own decisions regarding marijuana legislation.
The editorial concluded by stating that WADA’s panel is open to revisiting its decision on marijuana in light of new evidence or arguments, but that it stands by its current position based on the available data and rationale. They said that they welcome constructive dialogue with stakeholders and experts on this issue, but that they also expect respect for their expertise and independence. They said that they hope that their editorial will help clarify their reasoning and dispel some misconceptions about WADA’s policy on marijuana.
