What is the current status of Cannabis in sport?
Cannabis is listed as Prohibited In-Competition under class S8: Cannabinoids on the World Anti-Doping Code’s Prohibited List. The status of substances in sport are also available on Global DRO.
What are Medicinal Cannabis, Cannabinoids and Cannabidiol?
It is important to understand the difference between some similar terminologies:
- Cannabinoids – Cannabinoids are a group of compounds which have an effect on the Cannabinoid receptors in the human body. The group has around 100 different chemicals including Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD)
- Cannabidiol (CBD) – CBD is one specific cannabionoid compound which is not prohibited. (see below)
- Medicinal Cannabis – For Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) purposes, this is a product prescribed by a Doctor and accessed through a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved process.
Why are cannabinoids prohibited?
All prohibited substances are added to the Prohibited List because they meet two of the three following criteria:
- Use of the substance has the potential to enhance performance;
- Use of the substance can cause harm to the health of the athlete; and
- Use of the substance violates the spirit of sport.
Are all types of cannabinoids prohibited?
All natural and synthetic cannabinoids are prohibited In-Competition with the exception of Cannabidiol. This includes:
- All cannabis (hashish, marijuana) and cannabis products
- Natural and synthetic tetrahydrocannabinols (THCs)
- Synthetic cannabinoids that mimic the effects of THC
Why is there an exception for Cannabidiol?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive component of cannabis. As of 2018, WADA no longer lists CBD as a prohibited substance.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) remains a prohibited (banned) substance in-competition.
