Cannabis in sport: anti-doping perspective

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Pharmacology
• Anti-Doping

Background:

• Cannabinoids have been prohibited in sports by the World Anti-Doping Agency since 2004.
• The World Anti-Doping Code outlines criteria for banning substances, including cannabinoids.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the rationale behind the prohibition of cannabinoids in sports.
• To discuss the potential for cannabis to enhance athletic performance.
• To examine health risks and the spirit of sport implications.

Main Methods:

• Review of the World Anti-Doping Code and established criteria for prohibited substances.
• Analysis of current knowledge on cannabinoid pharmacology and pharmacokinetics.
• Discussion of the impact of Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol on anti-doping rule violations.

Main Results:

• Cannabinoids are prohibited in-competition due to potential performance enhancement, health risks, and violation of the spirit of sport.
• The pharmacokinetics of Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol present challenges in managing positive anti-doping tests.
• Passive inhalation is unlikely to cause a positive test result.

Conclusions:

• The prohibition of cannabinoids in sports is supported by evolving scientific understanding of their effects.
• Continued research into cannabinoid pharmacology is essential for informed anti-doping policies.
• Addressing the complexities of cannabinoid detection and interpretation remains a key challenge.