Sha'Carri Richardson is the latest athlete to be banned for cannabis use, but is it time for sport to move on from a drug that has no performative benefits?
As some states in the United States begin to repeal prohibition on the drug, I can't help but feel that banning athletes in any sport for a drug that does not affect your performance is harsh, and should be reviewed. In most parts of the world, cannabis is becoming more decriminalised because of the realisation that it's a non-destructive drug that is no more harmful than alcohol. In fact, some studies suggest that alcohol has more detrimental on mental and physical health than cannabis. Scientists at the University of Colorado in Boulder concluded that 'the use of marijuana, however, seemed to have no significant long-term effects on brain structure' whereas alcohol does (Medical News Today, 2018).
Sha'Carri Richardson, who qualified just a week after her mother died, is now facing the repercussions of using the banned substance with a suspension from any participation at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. I do believe that this suspension is justified, as the rules are in place to create a level playing field for all athletes who derive from various different countries, where the legality of cannabis fluctuates. Nevertheless, there needs to be a revision of current legislation on cannabis, as its properties can actually have a positive effect on the bodies of athletes. There is a natural cannabinoid that your body produces called anandamide, which gives you "high" after exercise anyway. The ingestion of cannabis increases the effectiveness of this process, leading to a greater feeling from athletes about their exercise. Other benefits include:
increased oxygen absorption in tissues
improved vision and concentration
helps athletes forget previous traumatic experiences related to the activity, such as falls or injuries
reduced muscle spasms
aids in pain relief
These benefits, alongside others, would be encouraging for an athlete, as they can focus more on their performance whilst training rigorously for upcoming events. For example, in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, fighters are now able to smoke cannabis for upcoming fights to help relax their mind and channel their concentration on their upcoming fight. The United States Anti-Doping Association have essentially eliminated cannabis use as a violation in the UFC, as it does not enhance their overall performance. This is based on the condition that fighters do not ingest cannabis the day of their fights, as it actually may be deemed an unfair advantage.
As the world becomes more open to the idea of cannabis use in sport, I believe that governing bodies should analyse their stance on the drug, so that athletes aren't being punished for an intoxicant that has no bearing on an athletes efficiency. Public perceptions are also beginning to change about cannabis, suggesting that there is more incentive to legalise the use of it in sports also.
In essence, Sha'Carri should have been more responsible in her use of the drug leading up to the Tokyo Olympics, but there needs to a re-evaluation of the prohibition of this drug. Sha'Carri has already pledged to perform well at the World Championships in 2022, which is believable given her remarkable 10.72 PB time in the 100m race.
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