Brazil’s move to decriminalize personal marijuana use raises questions in sports. World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the anti-doping body, asserts that changes in national laws don’t affect their banned substances list. Andrew Maggio from WADA made this clear to CNN Brasil.
READ MORE
++ Murillo, Chelsea’s Brazilian target in search of a new Thiago Silva
++ Why Aston Villa is rushing Douglas Luiz sale to Juventus
++ Football players who enjoy playing online games
In 2022, WADA kept cannabis on its banned list after consulting experts. The limit for cannabis during competition is now 150 ng/ml, a slight increase meant to monitor athletes’ use more closely.
In a shift in 2021, WADA tagged cannabis as a “Substance of Abuse” This change cut the suspension for positive tests from up to four years to just one month. This applies if the athlete shows the use was out of competition and not for enhancing performance.
To be banned by WADA, a substance must meet two out of three rules:
- Potential to enhance performance.
- Risk of harm to the athlete’s health.
- Violation of the sport’s spirit.
As Brazil explores these changes, the global sports community keeps a keen eye. This shift tests the limits of regulation and athlete responsibility in sports.
