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It's heartening to see a recent trend of important conversations shedding light on the complex relationship between athletes and cannabis. Brittney Griner's case underscores the need for a nuanced and evolving approach to cannabis use in sports. Her candid testimony about using medical cannabis to manage pain and her preference for it over painkillers is a perspective that deserves serious consideration. It's encouraging to witness athletes like Shawn Kemp and Ricky Williams speaking out about their positive experiences with cannabis, emphasising its potential benefits for pain relief and harm reduction. The changing attitudes toward cannabis in various North American sports leagues, such as the NBA no longer testing for cannabis and the NFL refraining from game suspensions for positive results, are positive steps toward recognizing its potential as a legitimate form of therapy. Joanna Zeiger's point about THC being a possible next frontier for legalisation in sport is intriguing and highlights the need for continued dialogue and research in this area. Here in Australia, legendary athletes Lauren Jackson (basketball) and Andrew Johns (rugby league) have used their platforms and personal experiences to advocate for the responsible use of medicinal cannabis. Their openness about the potential benefits of cannabis in managing pain and improving the overall well-being of athletes has helped destigmatize its use in Australia’s sports sphere. Let’s hope this new wave of cannabis use advocacy from prominent athletes around the world can lead to a serious change of attitude towards cannabis use for managing pain and promoting recovery among athletes. What are your thoughts? Will cannabis be the solution to the opioid crisis plaguing amateur and professional athletes worldwide? Let us know in the comments down below. https://lnkd.in/enr7v5bg #cannabis #cannabismedicine #cannabisaustralia

NCAA CMAS committee recommends removal of cannabis from banned substances list The NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports (CMAS) last week recommended removal of cannabis from its list of banned substances for all three divisions, calling instead for a “robust educational strategy.” The organization first announced in June they were considering the reforms. The CMAS committee cited three main reasons for their recommendation: - Ineffectiveness of existing policy: The committee noted that the current policy of banning cannabis has been ineffective in preventing student-athletes from using it, and that it has had unintended consequences, such as disproportionately impacting athletes of color. - Role of the NCAA drug-testing program: The committee reaffirmed that the NCAA drug-testing program should focus on identifying and deterring the use of performance-enhancing substances, and that cannabis does not meet this criteria. - Importance of a harm-reduction strategy: The committee emphasized the importance of a harm-reduction approach to cannabis use, which focuses on education and support rather than punishment. The CMAS committee’s recommendation is a significant step forward for the NCAA, and it brings the organization into line with other sports organizations, such as the NFL and MLB, which have already removed cannabis from their banned substances lists. It is important to note that the CMAS committee’s recommendation is just that – a recommendation. The final decision on whether or not to remove cannabis from the banned substances list will be made by the NCAA’s three divisional governing bodies. However, the CMAS committee’s recommendation is likely to be given significant weight, and it is a strong indication that the NCAA is moving towards a more enlightened approach to cannabis. #NCAA #cannabis #bannedsubstances #harmpreduction #studentathletes #laboticariaus

🚨 Big News from the NCAA! 🚨 The NCAA, the largest governing body in intercollegiate sports, has announced a significant policy shift: marijuana and cannabis products have been removed from its banned drug list for Division I championships and postseason football. This change, effective immediately, marks a move from punishment to harm-reduction, focusing on the health and well-being of student-athletes. Key Facts: - About 26% of student-athletes reported cannabis use in a 2023 survey. - The new policy aims to replace punitive measures with education and local harm-reduction strategies. - Cannabinoids will now be treated like other non-performance-enhancing substances, such as alcohol. - President Biden recently reclassified marijuana as a less dangerous substance, aligning federal policy with this change. - Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced over 175,000 marijuana pardons, one of the largest acts of cannabis clemency in the country. - Additional NCAA changes include ending limits on football staff, removing restrictions on official visits for basketball and baseball, shifting recruiting calendars for football, and allowing multiple foreign tours for student-athletes. Ironically, my professional take on this might surprise you. While the NCAA says "cannabinoids will be treated like other non-performance-enhancing drugs such as alcohol," I can't help but chuckle. Some cannabinoids and terpenes might actually give athletes a bit of a boost. Sure, not all of them, but with the crazy variety of products out there now—and the even crazier ones coming soon—this policy is gonna need some serious fine-tuning to keep things fair. Otherwise, we might see some unexpected 'superpowers' on the field! 🌿🏃♂️ We will all have to stay tuned for more updates on how these changes will impact student-athletes and the broader landscape of collegiate sports. This is a significant step forward in aligning sports regulations with evolving societal norms and focusing on the overall well-being of student-athletes. BUT... the system, and the individual athletes, will benefit from guidance, supervision, possibly overt direction, to avoid pitfalls and unfair advantages. Cannabis in athletics is an entire industry still scarcely born. #NCAA #CannabisPolicy #StudentAthleteHealth #CannabisReform #PolicyChange #CollegeSports #HealthAndWellBeing

I am a former student athlete, current GA for Alcohol and Other Drugs services, and yeah maybe I have some personal experience in the marijuana department. Who’s to say? Anyway, this policy change was brought up awhile ago in our office and I have some thoughts. One of my duties as AOD GA is substance education workshops. We hold alcohol workshops weekly and marijuana workshops monthly. Varsity athletic teams are already required to complete a single substance education workshop which is good but it’s not enough, especially with this change. The most common issues students discuss in marijuana education workshops: anxiety and nutrition. Students use marijuana to lessen symptoms of anxiety and/or to increase appetite. This in turn increases the dependence by blocking off these feelings and the bodies response to them and not practicing coping skills. In general, I am not about telling people what decision is right for them. However these athletes need to be taught coping skills, emotional regulation, how to build a support system, individualized nutrition skills, understanding addiction, and the impact marijuana has on the brain and body. They need to be informed to make the best decision for themselves. Coaches and teams will also need to establish a culture around acceptable substance use and accountability. AOD offices should be established at all higher ed and prioritized. Next conversations: What does this mean for athletes who go on to play in other countries with stricter marijuana laws? How is this going to impact NIL?

A new collegiate athletics proposal would remove marijuana from the list of substances included in drug screenings for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship competitions, with officials set to vote on the matter in June. Proponents say the approach is consistent with designing rules to focus on reducing harm rather than punishing student athletes. The plan would build on a 2022 change that increased the allowable THC threshold for college athletes, aligning NCAA’s rules with those of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The latest proposal would effectively treat marijuana more like alcohol. While NCAA doesn’t intend for the change to promote cannabis use, the substance isn’t believed to give competitors an unfair advantage in sport. (via Marijuana Moment) Collegiate athletic programs, much like employers, are finding that, as cultural views toward marijuana align with alcohol, they must modify their zero-tolerance stance on past cannabis use. Similar to the mindset of other companies, it appears many sports entities are choosing to no longer factor cannabis in their drug testing programs. We certainly recommend employers continue to test, especially for safety-sensitive jobs, but they must ensure they are utilizing compliant screening methods that use a scientifically valid method to detect Delta-9 THC (e.g., oral fluid testing). #cannabis #marijuana #impairment #oralfluidtesting #thctesting

On March 1st, 2022 the NCAA took the first steps forward to a green inclusive future, changing the policy for a relaxed approach to cannabis and the amount of THC an athlete can have to trigger a positive test. In an effort to align with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s levels, the NCAA Committee of Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports agreed to allow for the threshold levels of THC (the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis) to increase from 35 nanograms per millilitre to 150 nanograms per millilitre. Maintaining the course, the NCAA Committee has formally advised each of the three divisional governance bodies to introduce and adopt legislation to remove cannabis from the banned substance list in all three divisions. The recommendation hopes to establish that cannabis is not a performance-enhancing drug and that cannabis harm-reduction tools are better developed at school levels. Read The Full Article Today; https://lnkd.in/gRHN37zA With an ability to replace outdated pharmaceuticals and provide alternative avenues for recovery, relief, inflammation, sleep, mental health and more, the future looks bright for cannabis and athletics. Join the Movement; WWW.SPORTSCANNABIS.LIFE #SportsCannabis #NCAA #Cannabis #Cannabisathlete #CBD #Education #Legislation #MedicalCannabis #Sports #CollegeSports #ChangetheNarrative #BreakTheStigma

The NCAA has decided to remove cannabinoids from their list of banned substances for football championships and postseason play. This is a significant shift in policy that reflects changing attitudes toward Cannabis use in sports. Here are 5 reasons why this is relevant to Cannabis accountants: 1️⃣ Market expansion: This decision could potentially increase the customer base for Cannabis products. As restrictions on Cannabis use ease in collegiate sports, we might see a rise in demand from athletes and sports-adjacent consumers. 2️⃣ Regulatory trends: This move by the NCAA aligns with broader trends we're seeing in Cannabis regulation. It's another indicator that Cannabis is becoming more mainstream and accepted, which could impact future legislation and business opportunities in our industry. 3️⃣ Product focus: The NCAA's emphasis on "student-athlete health and well-being" rather than punishment could drive interest in Cannabis products marketed for recovery and wellness. This might create new niches in the market that our clients could explore. 4️⃣ Compliance considerations: While this doesn't directly affect our accounting practices, it's a reminder of how quickly Cannabis regulations can change. It underscores the importance of staying updated on regulatory shifts across various sectors that could impact our clients' businesses. 5️⃣ Potential partnerships: As stigma decreases, we might see more opportunities for Cannabis businesses to partner with sports-related entities. This could open up new revenue streams and marketing channels for our clients. Remember, as Cannabis accountants, we're helping our clients navigate a rapidly evolving industry. Keeping an eye on developments like this, even in seemingly unrelated fields, can help us provide more comprehensive guidance to our clients.

☘️🩺 NCAA & CANNABIS 🩺☘️ After taking gradual steps over the last two years, the NCAA is on the cusp of sweeping changes to its policies on cannabis use by its athletes, including removing it from a list of band substances. In a January session at the NCAA Convention in Phoenix, a group of panelists discussed the recent cannabinoid policy updates and the work that remains to incorporate these changes on campus. The basis for the recommendation stems from the December 2022 Summit on Cannabinoids in College Athletics, which featured “the consensus opinion that cannabis is not a performance-enhancing drug and that a harm reduction approach to cannabis is best implemented at the school level,” the NCAA posted in a June release. These recent revisions are meant to help athletes using cannabis at a problematic level rather than catching them for making one mistake. The policy updates also come as cannabis use continues to become more socially accepted nationwide. Thirty-eight states have legalized marijuana for medical use and 24 for recreational use. According to a 2023 NCAA Student-Athlete Health and Wellness Study, 43% of college athletes are using marijuana in states where it is legal for recreational and medical use. #ncaa #cannabis #healthbenefits #medical #ericcook

🌿 NBA Panel Unanimously Supports Decriminalizing Cannabis for College Athletes 🏀 MediCannaGPT.com In a significant departure from traditional NCAA substance policies, a panel of medical experts convened by the National Basketball Association has unanimously recommended that marijuana should no longer be a part of the list of banned substances for college athletes. This development could pave the way for a drastic shift in the landscape of college athletics and athlete welfare. The Rationale Behind the Recommendation 📘👩⚕️ Research-Backed Decision: The advisory panel's recommendation is anchored in solid research outlining that marijuana does not enhance performance and does not pose substantial health risks to the players. Social and Legal Concerns: Highlighting the often overlooked social and legal repercussions athletes may face due to marijuana use, the panel underscores the necessity for a revised policy that aligns with the latest scientific findings. Impending Review by the NBA's Board of Governors 📋🏛️ Awaiting Approval: For this recommendation to become policy, it requires the approval of the NBA's Board of Governors. With growing public support for decriminalizing marijuana use, there is a strong possibility this change will be ratified. Prospects of Wider Marijuana Availability for Athletes 🛍️🛒 Consequences of Federal Legislation: Should the NBA move forward with this recommendation, it may influence federal policy concerning cannabis legalization, possibly making marijuana more widely accessible to athletes for medicinal use without the stigma of contravening league rules. Addressing Disparities in the Industry 👥⚖️ Equity Issues: The current restriction on marijuana disproportionately affects certain demographics within the athlete community, leading to calls for reforms that recognize both the social justice and therapeutic aspects of cannabis use. As the dialogue concerning cannabis continues to evolve, the NBA's recent stance signals a potential shift in how both the sports industry and society at large view marijuana use among athletes. Should this recommendation be implemented, it could significantly impact athletes' health decisions and the sports industry's approach to substance regulation and athlete care. 🏀🌿🎓 #CannabisDecriminalization #NBAPanel #CollegeAthletes #DrugPolicy #AthleteHealth #NCAAReform #CannabisResearch #SportsMedicine #MarijuanaAndSports #BoardOfGovernors

Cannabis can be helpful for more than just treating conditions. More and more athletes are talking about how cannabis can promote recovery after exercise. Check out the article below from Cannabis & Tech Today! #cannabisismedicine #plantmedicine #plantsoverpills https://lnkd.in/e8t7k-jS