Athletes Unite Behind Cannabis Legalization
A collective of more than 150 active and retired athletes has signed a letter addressed to the World Anti-Doping Agency. In this letter, the agency is urged to remove cannabis from its list of banned substances.
Athletes advocate for cannabis
Remember, it was in January 2019: the World Anti-Doping Agency removed CBD (cannabidiol) from the list of prohibited substances. Today, cannabinoids as a whole are being requested by athletes, whether professional or amateur, active or not, with the aim of being able to relieve pain.
This popular will takes the form of a letter: more than 150 current and former athletes have signed it and sent it to the World Anti-Doping Agency, suggesting that it declassify cannabis from its list of banned substances.
Among the leading figures in the collective are boxer Mike Tyson, retired football players Jake Plummer and Ricky Williams, as well as cyclist Floyd Landis. All have shown their support through CARE, a non-profit organization dedicated to research into the use of cannabis in the treatment of various health problems.
"Athletes for CARE is proud to have such a strong network of respected athletes advocating for the removal of cannabis from the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned substances," said Anna Symonds, rugby player and Athletes for CARE representative, in a statement. "We are also calling on fans to show their support online via our Change.org petition."
The main demand of this letter concerns THC, the main active ingredient in cannabis, which athletes are asking to be immediately removed from the list.
"We have seen an improved quality of life through cannabis and natural cannabinoids, including significant therapeutic and wellness benefits, and these positive elements should be freely available to all other athletes," the letter states.
The legalization of cannabis for athletes requires supervision.
The publication of this letter comes two days after freshly retired NFL defender Chris Long said in a radio interview that he had used marijuana throughout his career.
"Look, otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to cope with the daily stressors of life in the NFL," Long said. "A lot of guys have a lot of pain management. It's the only possible option to date."
The signatory athletes also insist on the notion of supervision associated with their demand: "In accordance with WADA's values of ethics, fair play, and honesty, the organization must, for the good of athletes, offer them full access to this delicate, yet effective plant."
As a reminder: natural cannabis in all its forms is prohibited by WADA, unlike cannabidiol, which is tolerated.
When cannabis was legalized in Canada, the World Anti-Doping Agency announced: "Let's keep in mind that the list of prohibited substances evolves with scientific discoveries." As if to suggest new advances.
