NCAA committee recommends divisions adopt legislation to remove cannabis from banned list
The NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports has recommended that each division adopts legislation to remove cannabis from their banned drug list.
On Friday, the NCAA sent out a press release that explained the recommendation in full, as it’s evident change could be coming to collegiate athletics in the near future.
“The NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports recommended that each of the three divisional governance bodies introduce and adopt legislation that would remove cannabinoids from the list of NCAA banned drug classes,” a press release from the NCAA read. “Committee members, who met this week in Indianapolis, also recommended the development of a robust educational strategy to accompany a potential change to cannabinoid legislation.
“The timing of discussion and adoption of possible legislation is a decision that will be made by each of three NCAA divisional governance structures. This recommendation is based on extensive study informed by industry and subject matter experts (including doctors, substance misuse experts and membership practitioners).”
Moreover, the NCAA added that the idea for a change on the matter was informed by the December 2022 Summit on Cannabinoids in College Athletics. According to the NCAA, the consensus opinion formed from that summit was that cannabis is not a performance-enhancing drug, “and that a harm-reduction approach to cannabis is best implemented at the school level.”
Additionally, the recommendation from the NCAA committee is aiming to recenter student-athlete health, while also recognizing membership opinions and the shifting cultural and legal landscapes surrounding cannabinoids, per the NCAA.
The NCAA believes that removing cannabinoids from the list of banned substances will do many things, including: Acknowledging the ineffectiveness of existing policy (banning, testing and penalizing); Affirming the role of the NCAA drug-testing program to address only performance-enhancing substances; Emphasizing the importance of moving toward a harm-reduction strategy that prioritizes education and support at the school level over penalties.
As the NCAA moves down a more legislative path, James Houle, committee chair and lead sport psychologist at Ohio State, added some more context to their process.
“When making a decision on an important topic like this, we agree that the membership should have an opportunity to vote on the final outcome,” said Houle, via the press release. “We are recommending a big shift in the paradigm when it comes to cannabinoids.
“We want to modernize the strategy with the most up-to-date research to give schools the best opportunity to support the health of student-athletes.”
Alas, it remains to be seen when it all comes to fruition, but it’s evident we’re in a new era regarding cannabis and collegiate sports.