After placing first in the 100 meter dash for Team USA’s Track and Field on June 19, runner Sha’Carri Richardson received a suspension last week after testing positive for THC. The suspension comes from the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). This organization placed cannabis on the suspended drug list as it “poses a health risk to athletes, has the potential to enhance performance and violates the spirit of sport.”

The USADA spoke about Sha’Carri Richardson’s suspension on Friday, July 2. “Richardson’s competitive results obtained on June 19, 2021, including her Olympic qualifying results at the Team Trials, have been disqualified, and she forfeits any medals, points, and prizes. Beyond the one-month sanction, athlete eligibility for the Tokyo Games is determined by the USOPC and/or USA Track & Field eligibility rules.”

Response 

In a recent interview with NBC’s Today Show, Sha’Carri Richardson spoke about her cannabis use. Currently, in Oregon, where the Olympic Trials took place, medical and recreational cannabis is legal for anyone 21 and over. Richardson is 21, so what she did in the state is considered legal. She didn’t break any state rules. Nonetheless, she broke the USADA’s rules.

“I just want to take responsibility for my actions. I know what I did, I know what I’m supposed to do, I’m allowed not to do and I still made that decision. I’m not making an excuse or looking for any empathy in my case,” Richardson said during her interview. She said that she turned to cannabis after learning from a reporter that her biological mother had passed away during their interview. 

“I was just thinking it would be a normal interview… Then on the interview to hear that information come from a complete stranger. It was definitely triggering, it was nerve shocking because it’s like who are you to tell me that? From there just blinded by emotions, blinded by bad news, blinded by just hiding hurt. Honestly for the fact that I can’t hide myself, so at least in some type of way, I was trying to hide my pain.

“Everything I do comes from me naturally. No steroid(s). No anything. This incident was about marijuana. After my sanctions are up, I’ll be back and able to compete and every single time I step on the track I’ll be ready to compete for whatever anti-doping agency to come and get what it is that they need,” Richardson said.

Federal Response

When Sha’Carri Richardson’s suspension first became public knowledge, the White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, “this was an independent decision made by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and not a decision that would be made by the U.S. government.”

A day later, President Joe Biden spoke about the situation. “The rules are the rules and everybody knows what the rules were going in,” the President said. “Whether they should remain the rules is a different issue, but the rules are the rules.”

Additionally, Representatives Jamie Raskin, D-MD and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. wrote a letter to the USADA and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) at the “dismay” for Sha’Carri Richardson’s punishment. 

“The ban on marijuana is a significant and unnecessary burden on athletes’ civil liberties,” the lawmakers wrote. Representative Raskin is currently the chair, with Representative Ocasio-Cortez as the vice-chair of the House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. “The divergent treatment of recreational alcohol and marijuana use reflects obsolete stereotypes about cannabis products and a profound misunderstanding of the relative risks of both substances.”

Other major sports leagues in the states, like the MLB, NBA, and NFL, have all changed their cannabis rules for players. This is in order to help with mental health issues and pain management. Most recently, the NFL announced up to $1 million in grant funding into cannabis as a pain management treatment over opioid use. 

Public Outcry

It’s not only politicians who are speaking up about Sha’Carri Richardson’s suspension. Athletes, activists, actors, sponsors, and even The Onion took to their respective forums to express their anger. Former football player Ricky Williams received suspension numerous times during his career with the NFL for testing positive for THC. Now, he’s an advocate and hopes that Sha’Carri Richardson will join him in advocating for cannabis use for athletes. 

“I went from just being an athlete to being an advocate. And I think this is an opportunity for a young athlete to realize sports is a platform,” Williams said during a recent interview with NBC. “She has a perfect opportunity with so many people in the world having this conversation. So I think she should be proud of herself.”

Actor Seth Rogen also took to Twitter over Sha’Carri Richardson’s 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”. Other actors supporting Sha’Cerri Richardson and are against her suspension include Ed Asner and Selma Blair.

Finally, Sha’Carri Richardosn’s sponsor, Nike, said that they would stand behind her during this difficult time. “We appreciate Sha’Carri’s honesty and accountability and will continue to support her through this time”. Sha’Carri Richardson has been a Nike sponsor since 2019. It doesn’t seem like that will be ending any time soon.

Future

The Tokyo Olympic Summer Games will begin Friday, July 23 and run through Sunday, August 8. Unfortunately, Sha’Carri Richardson won’t be joining the USA Track and Field Team. The organization said they agreed the cannabis related rulings need to change. However, they are going to remove Sha’Carri Richardson from the team overall. She won’t be allowed to compete in the 4x100m relay, which is set to take place after her suspension ends. 

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