American Long Jumper Tara Davis-Woodhall Loses Title After Positive Cannabis Test
Tara Davis-Woodhall loses national title after testing positive for cannabis, sparking renewed debate on cannabis policies in sports
Key Points
- 1Tara Davis-Woodhall stripped of title after positive cannabis test
- 2USADA calls for fairer cannabis regulations in sports
- 3Davis-Woodhall's suspension reduced to one month
- 4Incident echoes Sha'Carri Richardson's 2021 case
- 5Debate continues over cannabis use in sports
American long jumper Tara Davis-Woodhall has been stripped of her recent indoor national title following a positive test for cannabis, according to the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). The announcement was made on Tuesday, revealing that Davis-Woodhall tested positive for THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, during the 2023 U.S. Indoor Track and Field Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The positive test took place on February 17, the same day she secured the title with a jump of 6.99 meters
Davis-Woodhall, who is 23 years old, has already completed her suspension, which lasted one month and began on March 21. As a result of the positive test, she has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on February 17 and thereafter, which includes the forfeiture of medals, points, and prizes. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges athletes face regarding cannabis use, despite its increasing legalization in various states across the U.S
The USADA has called for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to reconsider its stance on cannabis. In a statement, USADA emphasized the need for a fairer approach to marijuana use in sports. "USADA has advocated and will continue to advocate for WADA to treat marijuana in a manner that is more fair and effective," the agency stated. Under current WADA rules, THC is still banned, although athletes can receive a reduced suspension if they prove the substance was used outside of competition and not performance-related
In the case of Davis-Woodhall, her suspension was reduced to one month because she demonstrated that her cannabis use was not related to her performance and she participated in a substance abuse treatment program. This situation is reminiscent of the case of American sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson, who was also suspended for a month in 2021 after testing positive for cannabis, leading to her exclusion from the Tokyo Olympics
The issue of cannabis use among athletes continues to stir debate, especially as some sports leagues, like the NBA and UFC, have eased their policies regarding cannabis. As legalization spreads, the sports world is grappling with how to align regulations with changing societal norms. Looking ahead, the conversation around cannabis in sports is likely to evolve, potentially influencing future policy changes