The White House Fights for New Policies Regarding Cannabis Usage by Athletes
The White House is determined to have a meeting with the World Anti-Dope Agency to discuss loosening restrictions on the use of Cannabis by athletes. This push began shortly after the suspension of star sprinter Sha’carri Richardson after testing positive for the substance.
The White House has called for a meeting with the World Anti-Dope Agency in an attempt to discuss easing the zero-tolerance policy on Cannabis use by athletes.
The debate was ignited shortly after Sha’carri Richardson, crowned as the fastest woman in the U.S., tested positive for marijuana at the Olympic Track and Field Trials. The star sprinter was penalized with a 30-day suspension causing an uproar in many fans across the country.
U.S. Representatives Jamie Raskin and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez penned a letter to the CEO of the USADA (U.S. Anti-Doping Agency) Travis Tygart and CEO of WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) Witold Banka that strongly debated that the decision to exclude Richardson from the Tokyo Olympics “lacks any scientific basis and is rooted solely in the systemic racism that’s long driven anti-marijuana laws.”
We worked with @RepRaskin and the Subcommittee on Civil Rights & Civil Liberties to formally ask @USAntiDoping to end Sha’Carri Richardson’s suspension.
— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) July 3, 2021
Their decision lacks any scientific basis. It’s rooted solely in the systemic racism that’s long driven anti-marijuana laws. pic.twitter.com/F28c5ScI1D
Major league baseball, hockey and football all have removed penalties for marijuana use.
— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) July 3, 2021
It’s time for the IOC and @usantidoping to do the same. #LetShaCarriRun
100% support for your work overturning this truly mind-numbingly stupid regulation and decision
— Don Greenberg (@don_greenberg) July 3, 2021
I think y’all are missing the point. @RepAOC not saying she was banned because of racism, she’s saying weed was illegal in the first place because of systemic racism. Nixon made it schedule 1 to demonize hippies and people color, which is a fact. Look it up.
— Natalie Manis (@natalie_manis) July 3, 2021
In a recent NBC interview, Richardson admitted that she used the substance to cope with the recent news of the loss of her biological mother. Although Cannabis is legal in the state of Oregon, it remains prohibited by WADA within the policy in several elite sports.
In addition, a petition to reinstate Richardson was started and has already accumulated close to 580,000 signatures as of Monday, July 12, 2021. Furthermore, the Let Sha’carri Run! movement argues that marijuana is not a performance-enhancing drug and has already been legalized in 19 states. However, Richardson holds no grudge and has maturely accepted the suspension despite the public outcry.
For fans who feel passionate about this situation and will like to learn more about the petition, please visit Moveon.org.
