Cannabis remains banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency – here’s why

Despite the many controversies surrounding the ban on marijuana for professional athletes, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is resolute. The organization has decided to keep marijuana on its list of banned substances for 2023.

The Wall Street Journal reports that insiders have taken a look at the agency’s list and a decision is expected to be made by the end of the month.

The decision comes months after the suspension of Sha’Carri Richardson, who was banned from attending the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for marijuana. She was one of the US favorites for the women’s 100-meter dash and has argued that she used marijuana to treat anxiety after the death of a family member.

Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Following Richardson’s suspension, the US Anti-Doping Agency and various US politicians called on WADA to reconsider its stance on marijuana. The agency agreed to launch a scientific review of its list of banned substances. While the decision to leave cannabis on the list has yet to be announced, WADA’s Prohibited Listing Expert Group claims that the retention or removal of marijuana from its list is based on available scientific evidence. According to these criteria, marijuana should be banned in sport.

RELATED: Sha’Carri Richardson: World Anti-Doping Agency Claims US Has Rigorously Pushed for Cannabis Ban, Anyone Surprised?

“The draft 2023 ban list is still under review,” said a WADA spokesman. “WADA’s Executive Committee is asked to approve the final version of the list during its September 23 meeting, with the list itself being published on or before October 1 and effective January 1.”

Politicians in the US have praised Richardson, although President Biden declined to comment on the suspension himself. A WADA spokesman said that “to date, neither the US authorities nor the US Anti-Doping Agency have requested that cannabis be removed from the Prohibited List.”

RELATED: Olympic cannabis ban under reconsideration after Sha’Carri Richardson disqualification

Still, countries like the Netherlands have made their stance clear, urging WADA to reconsider its stance over concerns about the use of common CBD products that could adversely affect athletes. “Cannabinoids most likely have a negative impact on athletic performance,” according to the Dutch agency.

WADA’s Prohibited List was published in 2004 and contains drugs that may enhance athletic performance, pose a health risk to the athlete and violate the spirit of sport. It puts marijuana alongside cocaine, heroin and ecstasy.