Los Angeles (AFP)
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on Tuesday it would reconsider the inclusion of cannabis on the list of banned substances, months after Sha'Carri Richardson was suspended, depriving the star American sprinter of the Tokyo Olympics .
There will be a scientific review of cannabis next year, but the drug will remain banned for the year 2022, WADA's executive committee said after a meeting in Istanbul.
"After receiving requests from a number of stakeholders, the (executive committee) approved the decision of the List's Expert Advisory Group to initiate in 2022 a scientific review of the status of cannabis," said the 'AMA in a statement.
"Cannabis is currently banned in competition and will continue to be so in 2022," she added.
Ms Richardson was expected to be a headliner for the Tokyo Olympics after several breathtaking 100-meter performances early in the season.
But the 21-year-old sprinter was denied the Games due to a 30-day suspension following testing positive for marijuana at the U.S. Olympic trials in June.
His case opened a debate about the presence of marijuana on WADA's list of banned products.
Many celebrities, athletes and politicians have lambasted a rule that they consider outdated and unnecessary.
The boss of the International Athletics Federation, Sebastian Coe, has also called for a review of the status of cannabis.
"It is not unreasonable today to have a review," he said during the Olympics in July.
"It makes sense, nothing is written in stone. We adapt and re-evaluate from time to time."
© 2021 AFP