When Sha’Carri Richardson was barred from the Olympics this month after testing positive for marijuana, it ignited an ongoing conversation about whether the drug should be classified as performance-enhancing for athletes. Does getting high really improve strength, speed, agility or other outcomes?
In Ms. Richardson’s case, the answer doesn’t matter, because marijuana is also prohibited, as enforcement organizations assert that it can harm athletes and that its use violates the spirit of the games. Her ban stands whether or not the drug is performance-enhancing.
Marijuana was added to the list of banned substances after a Canadian gold medalist had tested positive for the drug in 1998.