The World Anti-Doping Agency will review its ban on cannabis, in what the agency says is a response to "requests from a number of stakeholders" in international athletics. But it's not clear when, or if, a change to the controversial policy might take effect: cannabis will remain forbidden for the 2022 athletic season.
The news comes after WADA's ban on cannabis from competing in the Tokyo Olympics, despite her victory in the 100-meter race at the U.S. Olympic trials.
WADA's executive committee has approved a plan to organize "a scientific review of the status of cannabis" that will start next year, . But it reiterated that cannabis remains on its list of prohibited substances 鈥� a new version of which is due to come out by Oct. 1.
Richardson was hit with a 30-day suspension this summer after she tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. The decision triggered an outpouring of support for Richardson, at a time when dozens of U.S. states have legalized marijuana to some degree.
The ban also prompted widespread confusion over why marijuana might be considered a performance-enhancing drug.
"I didn't think the evidence base for marijuana would be particularly strong," Dr. Michael Joyner of the Mayo Clinic . "But as I looked at the papers yesterday, I was surprised at how weak it is."
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