NCAA Removes Cannabis from the Banned List
The NCAA no longer will test Division I athletes for cannabis products ahead of its championships after a vote Tuesday by its Division I Council.
“The NCAA drug testing program is intended to focus on integrity of competition, and cannabis products do not provide a competitive advantage,” Council Chair Josh Whitman, athletic director at the University of Illinois, said in a statement. “The council’s focus is on policies centered on student-athlete health and well-being rather than punishment for cannabis use.”
Penalties currently being served by athletes who failed NCAA drug tests because of cannabinoids will be discontinued.
The NCAA conducted random testing for cannabis products only before athletes took part in championship events, including bowl games in college football’s top level and the Football Championship Subdivision tournament. The NCAA does not operate the College Football Playoff, leaving drug testing up to the conferences that run it.
During the regular season, the NCAA generally only tests for performance-enhancing drugs. It still can test for PEDs, stimulants and narcotics ahead of championships moving forward.
Source: washingtonpost.com
