The NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports (CSMAS) has recommended removing cannabis (marijuana/THC) from its banned substances list. If implemented, this will allow student athletes to use cannabis at any time (including before, during, and after both games and practices) without the threat of adverse consequences due to positive drug test results. This is especially concerning in light of the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) 2023 recommendation to keep marijuana on the banned substances list. WADA oversees drug testing for the Olympics, Paralympics, and all major international sporting events. If NCAA athletes want to play their sport internationally, they will not be permitted to use any cannabis product. This recommendation sets these student athletes up for failure at the next level.
Removing marijuana from the list of banned substances also continues to send a message that marijuana is safe for use for college athletes. Marijuana is illegal for persons under the age of 21 and most college athletes are between 17 and 21 years old. In addition to the reduced perceptions of marijuana as harmful and illegal for college-level athletes, removing marijuana from the list opens the door to a myriad of other issues that counter the position of the NCAA as the governing body of student health and wellness.
This recommendation does not automatically go into effect, but it will now be voted on by each of the three NCAA divisions (Division I, II, III). Each division’s legislative committees vote on this recommendation in June. Here, we’ve set up a way for you to contact the top officials from each division, but we strongly encourage you to contact individual schools where you may have influence, including schools you or your spouse worked or attended and schools your children attend or have attended.
To view the full letter that Parent Action Network has sent to the NCAA Rules Committee and the Division Legislative Committees Click Here