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Cannabis and athletics have long had a complicated relationship.
From debates about its impact on performance to its potential benefits for recovery and stress management, the conversation surrounding weed and the Olympics raises many questions. We’ll try to uncover the answers to most of them and teach you everything there is about this important and relevant topic.
What will we cover?
We'll explore the role of CBD in aiding muscle recovery and managing stress, trace the history of cannabis deregulation in sports, and dissect high-profile controversies, such as the suspension of sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson during the Tokyo Games.
CBD, or cannabidiol, has garnered significant attention for its potential benefits in muscle recovery and stress management, particularly among athletes.
Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it doesn't produce the "high" associated with cannabis. This characteristic makes CBD a more accepted and appealing option for those looking to leverage the therapeutic properties of cannabis without compromising their cognitive functions.
Athletes train for years to even get a chance to go and compete at the Olympics. All this intensive and excessive training takes a toll on their muscles. CBD offers several mechanisms to support the muscle recovery process, whether that is topically or internally.
When an athlete engages in intense physical activity, microscopic damage to muscle fibers occurs, leading to inflammation and soreness.
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body, helping to reduce this inflammation and promote faster recovery. By binding to ECS receptors, CBD can modulate pain and inflammation responses, providing relief and aiding in the healing process.
Beyond its physical benefits, CBD is also known for its ability to manage stress and nervous energy, which are common challenges athletes face. High levels of stress and nerves can negatively impact performance, recovery, and overall well-being. CBD can help by promoting a sense of calm and relaxation, which is crucial for both mental and physical health.
Many athletes have publicly endorsed the use of CBD for its benefits in recovery and stress management. For example, professional golfer Bubba Watson has spoken about using CBD to improve his sleep and recovery, emphasizing its role in maintaining his performance on the golf course. Similarly, MMA fighter Nate Diaz has openly used CBD to help with inflammation and healing after fights.
Historically, cannabis was strictly prohibited in competitive athletics, viewed as a harmful and illicit substance.
However, as scientific understanding and public perception of cannabis evolved, so too did the regulations governing its use among athletes.
In the early years of competitive sports, cannabis use was outright banned, and athletes caught using it faced severe penalties. This stance was largely influenced by broader societal attitudes towards cannabis, which were overwhelmingly negative and punitive.
The inclusion of cannabis on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list of prohibited substances in 2004 reflected these sentiments, classifying it as a drug with potential for abuse and harm, despite the lack of performance-enhancing properties.
The shift towards deregulation began as scientific research started to reveal the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis, particularly CBD. One of the pivotal moments came in 2018 when WADA removed CBD from its list of banned substances, although THC and synthetic cannabinoids remained prohibited. THC has a reporting threshold of 150ng/mL, which means that if the WADA-accredited laboratories detect THC below that level in the urine, it won’t be considered a positive test. All other cannabinoids are prohibited in competition at any presence level and do not have a reporting threshold. If you'd like to learn more about drug testing and CBD, you can check that out here.
This change recognized the distinction between the psychoactive and non-psychoactive components of cannabis and acknowledged the legitimate medical use of CBD.
However, the Olympics were slow to act. The first time in history that they allowed CBD was at the Tokyo Games in 2021.
But what’s the truth?
The path to full acceptance and consistent regulation across all sports remains complex and ongoing. And the case of Sha’Carri Richardson and the Tokyo Games proved that the Olympics are still not clear on whether cannabis is allowed or not.
One of the most high-profile and controversial cases involving cannabis in sports in recent years is that of American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson. Her suspension ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 sparked widespread debate about the fairness and relevance of cannabis regulations in competitive athletics.
Richardson secured her place on the U.S. Olympic team with a stunning victory in the 100-meter race at the U.S. Olympic Trials. However, her Olympic dreams were put on hold when she tested positive for THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, during a routine drug test.
And if you’ve paid attention, THC is still on a list of banned substances, according to WADA.
And while she admitted to using cannabis to cope with the emotional distress of her mother’s recent death, citing the immense pressure and grief she was experiencing, the positive test result led to a one-month suspension, disqualifying Richardson from competing in her signature event at the Tokyo Games.
Critics argued that cannabis is not a performance-enhancing drug and that its use for coping with personal stress should not be grounds for disqualification. The situation highlighted the perceived inconsistency in anti-doping regulations, where substances with no proven performance benefits can still lead to significant penalties.
Supporters of Richardson pointed out that her use of cannabis was legal in the state where she consumed it and that the substance did not give her an unfair advantage in competition. They argued for a reassessment of the rules to better reflect modern understanding of cannabis and its effects.
What do you think? Should the Olympics loosen the regulations around cannabis?
