The NCAA is considering removing cannabis from its list of banned substances, citing research that shows it does not enhance performance, according to a statement from the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports (CSMAS).
The effort to legalize the drug comes a year after the NCAA adjusted its THC test threshold. In early 2022, CMAS reworked the penalty structure for student athletes who tested positive for THC, aligning it with the levels established by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), according to the committee—increasing them from 35 to 150 nanograms per milliliter.
To date, 23 states have legalized recreational cannabis, and medical use is even more widespread. And in recent years, two prominent track and field athletes—Tara Davis-Woodhall and Sha’Carri Richardson—served bans for positive cannabis tests. Both lost U.S. national titles as a result.
In order for the cannabinoid class to be removed from the NCAA list of banned substances, three NCAA divisional governance bodies would have to introduce and adopt legislation, according to CMAS. The committee also wants to stop testing for cannabis at the NCAA championship events while this action is considered; it would need support from the NCAA Board of Governors.
Proponents of the change say that cannabis is not a performance-enhancing drug and that “a harm reduction approach to cannabis is best implemented at the school level,” according to the statement.
The full rationale can be found here.
In 2021, according to Canadian Running, WADA reduced its sanctions if an athlete tested positive for cannabis outside of competition and unrelated to sports performance.
A final decision is expected before the start of the fall season.
Heather is the former food and nutrition editor for Runner’s World, the author of The Runner’s World Vegetarian Cookbook, and a nine-time marathoner with a best of 3:23. She’s also proud of her 19:40 5K and 5:33 mile. Heather is an RRCA certified run coach.
