Sha’Carri Richardson’s Suspension Sheds Light On Marijuana Law Contradictions as Lawmakers Push for New Policies
Sha’Carri Richardson began turning heads as a young woman unapologetically running (and winning) in full acrylics and inches of orange hair during the Olympic trials. Over the past few weeks, though, she became a symbol for the contradictions served by American lawmakers.
On July 2, Associated Press announced via Twitter that Richardson would be on a 30-day suspension as a chemical found in marijuana was discovered in her system.
BREAKING: American champion Sha’Carri Richardson cannot run in the Olympic 100-meter race after testing positive for a chemical found in marijuana. Richardson won the 100 at Olympic trials on June 19. https://t.co/ERUw1HA8ev
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 2, 2021
Marijuana is still an illegal substance under Anti-Doping Agency rules, despite being legal recreationally or medicinally in over half of the United States.
Her suspension sparked outrage throughout the Twittersphere as it put Richardon’s spot in Tokyo’s 100-meter race in jeopardy. High-profile celebrities, including Seth Rogen and Dwayne Wade, questioned the justification of her suspension.
The notion that weed is a problematic “drug” is rooted in racism. It’s insane that Team USA would disqualify one of this country’s most talented athletes over thinking that’s rooted in hatred. It’s something they should be ashamed of. Also if weed made you fast, I’d be FloJo. https://t.co/swDLNoVcV3
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) July 2, 2021
But majority of y’all rule makers smoke and probably are investors in THC companies. Let’s stop playing these games https://t.co/hT3H6kw45T
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) July 2, 2021
Richardson appeared on TODAY that Friday morning and apologized as she was not expecting the mass empathy that followed.
She went on to explain that her legal consumption of the drug was utilized to cope with the sudden death of her mother, the news sending her into a state of “emotional panic.”
Nike posted an official statement that their support for Richardson would remain intact. The athlete has been a Nike runner since 2019.
Official statement from @Nike on Sha’Carri Richardson:
— Aaron Dodson (@aardodson) July 2, 2021
“We appreciate Sha’Carri’s honesty and accountability and will continue to support her through this time.”
Richardson has been a Nike athlete since 2019, and remains so after positive marijuana test and one-month suspension pic.twitter.com/Jt8ZGGVQfD
The USADA issued a statement on July 9 in response to Congressman James Raskin and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez formally requesting that the agency end the athlete’s suspension.
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
AOC stated that the policies are clearly “rooted in systemic racism” that most anti-marijuana laws have been proven to fuel. And according to the ACLU, a black person is four times as likely to be arrested for marijuana possession compared to their white peers.
The rise of marijuana legalization has brought forth a mass call of expungement for non-violent marijuana-related charges. This request is already being put into practice in New York and Virginia after their complete decriminalization of the drug.
In the press release, the USADA detailed that the current rules result from the laxest consequences for a positive marijuana test. They wish for people to understand that Richardson was aware that the substance is still illegal under USADA law.
“The USADA will continue to advocate for rule changes which would better address tragic situations like Ms. Richardson’s.”
