US officials call for change in rules around cannabis in sport

White House officials are reportedly pushing for a rethink of current policy around the use of cannabis in sport after the ban imposed on sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson.

It comes as the US Anti Doping Agency responded to a letter from members of Congress stating that rules around cannabis “must change”.

The Financial Times has reported that the White House is seeking talks with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), about the easing of restrictions around the use of cannabis in sports.

Sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson was handed a suspension earlier this month, after she for tested positive for THC.

Under the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code, THC is considered a “Substance of Abuse.”

The 21-year-old won the 100-metre qualifying event in the Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Oregon on 19 June and earned a place on the US Tokyo Olympic team.

The athlete was regarded as one of the favourites for a gold medal, having run the sixth fastest time in history.

But Richardson’s Olympic dreams were crushed after the drug test led to a 30-day ban.

According to Richardson she took the drug as a way to ‘cope’ with the loss of her biological mother.

The decision made by WADA caused outrage on social media among fellow athletes, politicians, celebrities and cannabis experts who have voiced concerns and demanded for the ban to be lifted.

According to the Financial Times, the White House is seeking a meeting with WADA through the US office of National Drug Control Policy, which has a seat on the body’s foundation, to discuss the current restrictions of cannabis use in sport.

In response to a letter from members of Congress Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamie Raskin, following Richardson’s ban, the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) agreed that the rules around the use of cannabis in sport “must change”.

The body stated: “The US Anti-Doping Agency agrees that Ms Richardson’s exclusion from the Tokyo Olympic games is a heartbreaking situation and that the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) rules concerning marijuana must change.”

“USADA does not make or have a direct vote on the anti-doping rules but, as a WADA Code signatory, we are required to enforce them. During the Stakeholder comment phase of the rule-making process, USADA has advocated for more flexible and fair rules to address the use of marijuana by athletes.”

WADA said it has not yet received a request for a meeting.