The exclusion of Sha’Carri Richardson from the 2021 Olympics due to cannabis use highlights the need for sports organizations to update their outdated and inconsistent cannabis policies to reflect modern scientific understanding and societal acceptance.
In the sports world, where regulations often feel contradictory and outdated, the shadow of Sha’Carri Richardson’s exclusion from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics looms large over this year’s Paris games as a glaring example of the absurdity of antiquated, draconian policies.
Richardson’s punishment for using marijuana begins to seem especially ludicrous, when considering the fanfare surrounding Snoop Dogg, perhaps the biggest combination stoner-rapper ever, as a prominent face of the U.S. ambassadorship at the 2024 Paris Games.
Meanwhile, figures like Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson make light of their own marijuana use during their unfiltered Olympics highlights show on NBC’s Peacock streaming platform, albeit, quite entertainingly. Yet,this dichotomy between enforcement and acceptance calls into question the logic and fairness of existing cannabis policies in sports, and beyond.
Sha’Carri Richardson’s Struggle for Fairness
Sha’Carri Richardson, an electrifying sprinter, captured the nation’s attention with her speed and vibrant personality. However, her Olympic dreams were shattered when she tested positive for THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana. Richardson had used marijuana to cope with the emotional distress following her mother’s death. Despite the growing acceptance of cannabis, her use resulted in a one-month suspension, disqualifying her from the Tokyo Games.
This harsh penalty contrasts sharply with the leniency shown to athletes involved in more severe doping scandals. For instance, Russian athletes implicated in state-sponsored doping programs have often received more lenient punishments, sometimes even being allowed to compete under neutral flags. The disparity in treatment raises questions about the consistency and fairness of anti-doping regulations.
The Hypocrisy of Cannabis Stigmatization
This apparent double standard that prompted Richardson’s exclusion becomes even more apparent when considering the widespread cultural acceptance of cannabis.
Case in point, Snoop Dogg, who has built a significant part of his public persona around marijuana use, was celebrated as a key ambassador and torch bearer at the Paris Games. This juxtaposition of Richardson’s punishment and Snoop Dogg living his actual best life in Paris highlights the contradictory stance on cannabis.
In a popular culture increasingly that is intent on normalizing marijuana use, Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson referencing personal cannabis experiences on their show should, indeed, be commonplace. When held side by side with the issue of Richardson’s suspension, this normalization in mainstream media underscores the glaringly outdated nature of sports regulations that harshly penalize athletes.
Cannabis: A Substance Less Harmful Than Alcohol
Scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports the view that cannabis is less harmful than alcohol. According to a comprehensive study published in the journal Scientific Reports, cannabis is significantly less toxic than alcohol and many other controlled substances. Despite this, international and domestic policies continue to criminalize marijuana use, often resulting in the imprisonment of non-violent offenders.
Combine with this with the further absurdity that in some cases the substance is classified as a “performance enhancing drug,” and the case for evolving on cannabis is long overdue. Anyone who knows anything about cannabis understands that it does not enhance athletic performance. In fact, scientific studies have shown that cannabis can impair coordination, decision-making, and reaction times, making it counterproductive for athletes
The Continuing Struggles of Sha’Carri Richardson
Despite the setbacks, Richardson has continued to compete at the highest levels. However, she still faces hurdles that could prevent her from achieving her dreams of Olympic gold. Changes in Olympic rules, combined with continued scrutiny, have created an environment where Richardson, and others like her, must navigate an unfair playing field.
Contrasting Cases in Olympic History
Richardson’s case is not isolated. Throughout Olympic history, several athletes have faced controversies related to substance use but received disparate treatment. Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, was photographed using a bong in 2009. Although he faced a three-month suspension from competitive swimming, his sponsors largely stood by him, and he returned to dominate subsequent Olympics. The differential treatment of athletes like Phelps and Richardson underscores the inconsistencies in how drug policies are enforced.
Similarly, the case of Sun Yang, a Chinese swimmer with multiple doping allegations, reveals another layer of inconsistency. Despite a history of infractions, he competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics and won gold. These examples highlight the need for a more equitable and rational approach to substance regulations in sports.
Moving Towards Rational Cannabis Policies
The path forward must involve re-evaluating and updating cannabis policies in sports. With marijuana legalization sweeping across the United States and gaining acceptance worldwide, sports organizations are slowly beginning reflect these societal changes in their regulations, an indication of an understanding, if reluctant, the need for progress. The alternative, continued stigmatization and harsh penalties for cannabis use, is not only unjust but also out of step with current scientific understanding and cultural norms.
Though it’s been three years, the exclusion of Sha’Carri Richardson from the Olympics due to cannabis use still serves to effectively demonstrate the absurdity of current sports regulations. As cultural attitudes toward marijuana evolve, it is imperative that sports organizations update their policies to align with modern scientific and societal perspectives.
Richardson’s journey and the contrasting treatment of other athletes underscore the urgent need for fair and rational cannabis laws in sports. Only then can we ensure a level playing field for all athletes, regardless of their choice to use a substance that is less harmful than alcohol and increasingly accepted around the world.
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