The NCAA’s Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports has made a proposal calling for the removal of marijuana from the organization’s list of banned drugs.
This recommendation signifies a significant shift in the NCAA’s stance on marijuana, as it has been conducting drug tests at championship events since 1986.
The committee suggests limiting drug testing to focus solely on performance-enhancing substances instead.
Although the proposal has been released, it still requires the introduction and approval of legislation by all three NCAA divisions before it can take effect.
Divisions II and III administrators had requested the committee to study the issue, leading to this recommendation.
The push for removing marijuana from the banned substances list aligns with the increasing number of states in the U.S. that have legalized medical or recreational marijuana use.
NCAA Advocates for Removal of Marijuana from Banned Drug List
Earlier this year, the committee had already raised the threshold for a positive marijuana test by increasing the allowable level of THC from 35 to 150 nanograms per milliliter, matching the World Anti-Doping Agency’s threshold.
The committee acknowledges that marijuana and its byproducts are not considered performance-enhancing substances.
Instead, they propose shifting the focus from penalizing cannabis use to emphasizing policies that address the potential risks associated with marijuana use and the importance of reducing harm related to cannabis products.
Additionally, the committee suggests that schools that conduct drug tests should utilize the results to identify instances of problematic cannabis use.
They also recommend providing schools with clearer guidelines on handling cannabis-related issues.
In a separate proposal, the committee suggests implementing a trace level threshold of 0.1 nanograms per milliliter for the hormone GW1516.
This measure aims to prevent athletes from inadvertently ingesting the substance through contaminated supplements, as GW1516 has been associated with positive doping tests in endurance-related sports.
The hormone was initially developed for diabetes treatment but was discontinued in 2007.
Overall, these recommendations by the NCAA committee represent a shift in the organization’s approach to marijuana use, prioritizing a focus on performance-enhancing substances and harm reduction while providing more precise guidelines for member schools.
The proposal will undergo further evaluation and decision-making processes, with a final decision expected to be reached in the fall.
