Why is Cannabis Banned in the Olympics and Professional Sports?

For thousands of years, cannabis has been a plant that has been used both recreationally and for medicinal purposes. It has also long been a subject of debate in the world of sports. For example, while some advocate for its therapeutic benefits, cannabis remains banned in the Olympics and many professional sports for a variety of reasons.

Below, we look at why this remains the case and a few of the arguments supporting or disproving the current approach.

Potential Dangers to Athletes

One of the primary reasons cannabis is banned in sports is the perceived potential danger it poses to athletes. Full-compound cannabis can indeed impair coordination, reaction time, and judgment – all of which may increase the risk of injury during training or competition.

As it stands, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has banned the use of nearly all cannabinoids in competition, classifying cannabis as a substance that can enhance risk-taking behavior, which might lead to unsafe actions in a high-stakes sporting environment and is banned in competition.

Potential Unfair Advantages

Where the approach toward cannabis in sports becomes more murky is in the potential benefits it may afford users. While cannabis is not a performance-enhancing drug in the traditional sense, it can provide certain advantages that are deemed unfair.

For instance, cannabis has muscle-relaxant and pain-relieving properties, which could help athletes recover faster from intense training sessions or injuries. This quicker recovery could give cannabis-using athletes an unfair edge over those adhering to the rules.

Furthermore, the calming effects of cannabis could reduce pre-competition anxiety, potentially improving performance in sports where mental focus is crucial. This claim was recently given more validity through a study that showed these effects are real and pronounced.

Arguments for Therapeutic Use

Interestingly, advocates for allowing cannabis in the Olympics and professional sports emphasize some of the same therapeutic benefits listed above as being unfair, such as its ability to effectively manage pain, inflammation, and anxiety – all conditions commonly faced by athletes.

This is important to recognize, as the use of cannabis could reduce reliance on opioids and other prescription drugs, which carry higher risks of addiction and adverse side effects. With the well-being of athletes a prime directive of organizations like WADA, these are not claims that can be glossed over without consideration.

Cannabinoids Without Perceived Advantage

It is important to note that not all cannabinoids have the same effects. For example, CBD (cannabidiol), a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis, has been recognized for its therapeutic benefits without the psychoactive effects of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). While not as pronounced as using full-compound cannabis, CBD can help each of the following in the absence of impairment:

• manage pain
• reduce inflammation
• alleviate anxiety

As such, CBD’s properties make it an ideal candidate for therapeutic use in sports without providing an unfair advantage.

Unlike THC, CBD does not enhance risk-taking behavior or significantly alter an athlete’s state of mind. As a result, several sports organizations have started to relax their policies on CBD. For instance, WADA removed CBD from its list of prohibited substances in 2018, although THC remains banned.

Ethical Considerations

Beyond its effects on athletes themselves, there are also ethical questions surrounding the use of cannabis in sports. While the stigma surrounding its use is slowly abating around the world, the fact remains that many still view its use as being unfair or inappropriate within the sporting world.

Some believe that allowing cannabis use could compromise the integrity of competition in the Olympics by creating unequal conditions. Additionally, promoting the use of a substance that is still illegal in many regions could set a poor example for younger athletes and fans – an important perspective given that professional athletes are role models to children around the world.

Reprimanded Athletes: Notable Cases

Despite largely remaining banned in the Olympics and professional sports, there have been a few high-profile instances over the years of athletes being reprimanded due to cannabis use. A few examples of this, highlighting the strict enforcement of anti-doping rules, include:

1. Ross Rebagliati: The Canadian snowboarder won a gold medal in the 1998 Winter Olympics but tested positive for THC, the active compound in cannabis. Although he was initially stripped of his medal, it was later returned as cannabis was not explicitly banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the time.
2. Sha’Carri Richardson: The American sprinter was suspended from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for cannabis. Richardson, who had won the 100 meters at the U.S. Olympic Trials, acknowledged using cannabis to cope with the emotional distress of her mother’s death.
3. Michael Phelps: The celebrated swimmer was suspended for three months in 2009 after a photograph surfaced showing him using a bong, a device commonly associated with cannabis consumption. Although Phelps did not test positive in competition, the incident tarnished his reputation and led to the loss of sponsorship deals.

Thankfully, each of these athletes’ reputations were not irreparably harmed, and each was recognized as/among all-time greats in their respective events.

Where Do We Draw the Line?

Where to draw the line on athletic aids is a difficult task. The debate over cannabis in sports is part of a broader discussion about which substances should be allowed or banned. For example, each of the following is widely accepted for use in sports and is commonplace in everyday society.

Caffeine

Caffeine is arguably the most commonly used stimulant around; it can enhance endurance, alertness, and concentration. However, unlike cannabis, caffeine is legal and unregulated in most sports.

WADA removed caffeine from its list of banned substances in 2004, although it monitors its use to ensure it is not abused.

Alcohol

Alcohol is legal in many sports but is restricted in certain contexts due to its potential to impair performance and increase the risk of injury. Sports organizations often implement specific rules around alcohol consumption to balance its social acceptability with safety concerns. For example, WADA removed alcohol from its list of prohibited substances in 2018. While it may not longer test for the substance, it does actively discourage its use.

Nicotine

Nicotine is another legal substance that can have stimulating effects. However, its long-term health risks are well-documented. While not banned, sports organizations discourage its use and educate athletes about its dangers.

Changing Perspectives Toward Cannabis

As time passes, the stigmatization of cannabis that began ramping up in the early 1900s is slowly diminishing, resulting in global attitudes surrounding the plant shifting closer toward acceptance.

In fact, several countries and states have already legalized cannabis for medicinal or recreational use, recognizing its potential benefits and the social justice issues related to its prohibition. This evolving perspective is prompting sports organizations to re-evaluate their stance on cannabis.

Canada

In 2018, Canada became the second country to legalize recreational cannabis. Canadian sports organizations are navigating the balance between federal legalization and international anti-doping rules.

United States

In the U.S., several states have legalized cannabis, creating a complex legal landscape for athletes. As a result, major leagues like the NBA and MLB have relaxed their policies on cannabis use, reflecting changing societal norms.

Europe

Several European countries, including the Netherlands and Germany, have adopted more lenient approaches to cannabis. These changes may influence European sports organizations to reconsider their policies.

Final Thoughts – Cannabis in the Olympics and Professional Sports

The ban on cannabis in the Olympics and many professional sports remains rooted in concerns about athlete safety, fairness, and ethical considerations. However, the therapeutic benefits of cannabis and the changing global perspectives on its use present compelling arguments for re-evaluation.

As societal attitudes continue to shift, sports organizations may need to adapt their policies to reflect these changes while ensuring the integrity and safety of competition.