Cannabis 'N Sport

#BetweenTheSheets: Cannabis 'N Sport

Performance threat or just blowin' smoke?

With the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan well under way, a hot topic among the sports world leading into the games was cannabis use.

The story of American sprinter, and podium threat, Sha'Carri Richardson made international news.

Richardson won the 100-meter event at the U.S. track and field trials a month before the games. Richardson was then disqualified from competing and sentenced to a one month suspension (the month of the Tokyo Olympics) when she received a positive drug test for cannabis.

We will spare the jokes of how cannabis disqualified a medal contender from a trials event held in Oregon, one of the most liberal states when it comes to cannabis consumption.

As a result, she will be sitting at home watching the games rather than competing for gold.

The international story created a buzz across the sports world and resurfacing the age-old question, "Should cannabis be included on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited substance list?"

The use of cannabis is growing around the world and, as such, so are the rules around legality. For many nations, cannabis use is no longer illegal. Look at nations like Netherlands, Canada and (for the most part) U.S.A.

WADA even states cannabis is banned on race days but not outside of competition. Bring on the "Michael Phelps Rule" however.

Remember back in 2009 when Phelps was caught in a picture enjoying some hazy smoke?

He was suspended for three months as a result of the picture BUT the picture took place outside of any major competition. Was the suspension the right action? Was it fair?

And we all remember Canada's Ross Rebagliati. He won gold in snowboarding at the 1998 Winter Olympics and was temporarily disqualified after his blood test came back positive for cannabis. The decision was later overturned due to cannabis not actually being on the official list of Olympics banned substances at the time.

We all know what happened after Rebagliati was reinstated with his gold medal. WADA quickly made the edit to the banned substance list.

WADA contends a drug lands on the prohibited list if it can "enhance performance, pose a health risk or violate the "spirit of the sport"?

Does Richardson's use of cannabis fit any of those criteria points?

Before we slide out of the hack (have to throw in a curling reference here of course), lets first get a better understanding of cannabis.

What is it? What are strains? What are subspecies?    

Spill The T On The C

The "C" is for cannabis. But the "T" is for THC. And what about the other "C"? As in CBD.

People may know what cannabis is but do you know the difference between THC and CBD?

Cannabidiol, also knows as CBD, and Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, are the natural compounds derived from the cannabis plant. They both even have the same chemical makeup: 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms. So how are they so different?

All in the chemical arrangement my dear.

The makeup may be the same but the order they come together creates very different results. 

The graphic to the right, courtesy of Green Geeks, is a helpful chart for ease of understanding the difference between CBD and THC.

CBD, often referred to as Hemp, is a non-psychoactive compound. You do not get "that" high from CBD consumption. CBD will not yield the psychoactive response we often think of for cannabis use.

THC, on the other hand, will give you "that" high response as it is psychoactive. 

For a long time THC was illegal while CBD was not due to the more medicinal effects of CBD.

CBD is often consumed in oil form or soft gels (pills). There are some edibles and topicals (bath bombs, lotion) now on the market with high CBD.

THC is common in dried flower, edibles and some beverages. You may also find edibles (gummies, chocolates, mints) having both CBD and THC compounds.

Before consuming cannabis, in whichever form you prefer, it is best to consult a doctor and/or know WHY you are consuming. What are you looking for?

Knowing the "why" can help determine the "who" when looking at cannabis options.

CBD can be beneficial to your body when dealing with complex issues such as arthritis, Crohn's disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and cancer treatment. CBD can also be beneficial for daily issues such as sleep, anxiety, skin health and general pain (i.e. inflammation). 

THC can be consumed to offset body pains like chronic pain and nausea. THC also can be helpful when dealing with insomnia, migraine headaches and poor appetite.

It is important to remember THC triggers the release of dopamine in the body, hence the change in your mood and/or pleasure from consuming THC. 

#TwineTime would not be doing full service here without also mentioning some common side effects from cannabis use, whether CBD or THC. Side effects can include: change in mood and appetite, drowsiness, feelings of anxiety and nausea/dizziness.

Whenever trying a new product, the best advice is start slow, go slow.

Smoking will have a different effect compared to edibles which may hit different compared to soft gels. You need to give your body time to react and the timing will be different per method per cannabis type per person. What works for your friend or family member may not work the same for you.

The "I-S" in CannabIS

CBD and THC are not the only pieces to the puzzle here. These are the types of cannabis flowers. But what about the different strains?

Welcome to the world of Indica vs. Sativa.

The graphic to the right, courtesy of Cresco Labs, does a great job in capturing the differences between the two most common species of cannabis plants.

Indica and Sativa are quite different in not only the physiological effects but also in the general look and growth of the flower strain itself.

When looking at the graphic, it is quite obvious to note the main differences between Indica and Sativa: Energy Level and Productivity.

Indica, the "night time cannabis", is great in the evening to decrease your energy, provide pain relief and help with sleep.

A symptom of Indica use is sometimes referred to "couchlock". You know what that is. You get it every Scotties and Brier. That feeling where you are locked into your couch and can't move. Indica can relax you so much you can feel like you cannot even get up off the couch.

Sativa will provide the "mind high" compared to Indica's "body high" effect. Sativa can increase productivity and creativity. You level of energy will be increased and you get the "head high" feel.

When it comes to using either subspecies for specific ailments, both can assist in very different ways.

Again, Indica will help with more specific body ailments like arthritis, cancer, fibromyalgia and general pain and inflammation. 

No surprise Sativa focuses on more mind ailments such as depression, anxiety and PTSD.

Confused yet?

CBD vs. THC. Indica vs. Sativa. Hybrids.

Hybrid? I hardly know it.

Hybrids are VERY common on the market. Hybrids are how new strains of cannabis are created.

A hybrid can combine CBD and THC, which may be great for particular diseases like lupus and epilepsy.

Hybrids can also be a result of combining Indica and Sativa subspecies. You want to be alert yet calm? An Indica/Sativa hybrid might be perfect for you. This type of hybrid can also be helpful when dealing with pain and inflammation during the day but still needing to be awake and productive.

Cannabis Benefits

We have discussed the specific benefits of CBD, THC, Indica and Sativa. But how does all of this info relate to sport performance and productivity? Will the use of cannabis provide a competitive advantage?

Yes and No.

Remember how WADA defines a prohibitive drug and apply it specifically to cannabis. According to WADA, cannabis users may "potentially endanger themselves and others because of increased risk taking, slower reaction times and poor executive function or decision-making."

Oh so cannabis is not banned because it can help YOU win. It is banned because you may effect the results of OTHERS competing alongside you.

Ok, we can see a bit of an argument made there. But it would depend on the type of cannabis consumed. Should CBD and THC be lumped together under the "cannabis" label when both provide VERY different and, in some cases, very opposite effects to the mind and body?

What about Indica vs. Sativa? Should they just be lumped together under the "cannabis" label as well?

It would seem as the growth of cannabis continues around the globe, it may be worth taking a closer look on the various forms of cannabis and start micro-defining what can be and cannot be allowed under the WADA guidelines for competition.

Cannabis consumption can provide amazing benefits to an athletes, such as:

• Reduce Inflammation
• Ease Soreness and Pain
• Treat Muscle Spasms
• Improve Sleep
• Improve Mental Acuity

If you consume cannabis for any, or all, of those benefits, does that equate to an athletic advantage during competition?

Yes and No, depending on the lens you want to take.

Yes in so far as easing soreness and pain and improving sleep can help you be more alert and continue functioning at a high level, especially for those sports which compete every day. Think of this like curlers competing at the Brier or Scotties or World Championship.

Those athletes are curling multiple times a day. Cannabis can help keep their bodies fresh and ready to compete.

But are they getting a performance competitive advantage?

The flip side argument is no. Cannabis may assist in the off-ice way but is it increasing performance while competing?

What is the difference between taking cannabis to treat muscle spasms compared to other over the counter or doctor prescribed medication? Some may say none.

Knowledge is power. And differentiating between the types of cannabis flower and cannabis strains might be worth pursuing as this topic heats up.

Did Richardson win the U.S. trials because she took cannabis? Doubt it, at least from a performance perspective. But is using cannabis to assist "mental performance" considered also an advantage towards athletic performance? Here sits the debate.

Did cannabis help Richardson prepare to compete in a stressful environment? Possibly. We do not know the individual reasons people use cannabis but it may have been to ease some pain or help get some sleep or reduce anxiety before competing. Those are all valid reasons.

The definition of competitive advantage and the definition of cannabis consumption have evolved over the years as medicine evolves. WADA and sport governing bodies may need to catch up with the times and lean on more scientific studies and research.

Worth noting of course, there has not been a strong comprehensive study on this topic. There has been no specific correlation between cannabis use and performance enhancement; however, there has also been no comprehensive scientific study saying otherwise.

Research and Development needs to step up its game!

Lets be clear too. Cannabis is NOT providing the same results as taking steroids.

Steroids directly build muscle mass, increase level of hormones, can increase speed, power, strength and endurance and assist in faster recovery and ability to do more.

Note the differences between steroid "benefits" and cannabis as described above.

There are cannabis concerns in sport though. Cannabis can be an addictive drug. Addiction is a serious mental health concern. Smoking cannabis can also be harmful to the lungs, an important part of the body for all athletes. The health concerns are legit.

Puff, Puff, Pass

So what happens next? WADA has their rules and interpretations but does every sport follow WADA?

Hardly.

When looking at North American professional sports, there is no common policy on cannabis use. Every league has their own set of rules. How is that possible when the drug in question is the same?

Lets take a look at the World Curling Federation. The WCF has the #CurlClean initiative to combat doping in the sport. #CurlClean works in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code, which received an update in January 2021.

When tested, either in or out of competition, a positive test result can yield anywhere from 3 months to 4 years of suspension. The time is dependent on the situation and the testing.

Where it gets interesting is looking at the 2021 Prohibited List from WADA. This is the list used by curling and it clearly states THC is designated as a Substance of Abuse. Substances of Abuse are defined as a substance "frequently abused by society outside of the context of sport."

Due to THC being an "addictive drug" by society, WADA classifies it as a "Substance of Abuse."

Hmmm, doesn't curling "pride" itself on being a social sport? Doesn't curling even market itself as a sport where you can get together with teammates and competitors after a game and enjoy some alcoholic beverages?

Yet alcohol is not considered a "Substance of Abuse" according to WADA. Look at the definition WADA, and in turn curling, use to describe THC. Now look at that same definition and apply it to alcohol consumption. Is there really a difference?

THC is not on the prohibited list due to its effect of improving athletic performance or providing an athlete with a competitive edge. It is on the list under the defined category of "Substance of Abuse" based on "society outside of the context of sport." 

Go get drunk and enjoy alcohol with your fellow curlers but heaven forbid you partake in an edible. If so, possible suspension. But yes, go get wasted on alcohol. We don't care about that apparently.

Worth noting here, Curling Canada prescribes to the Canadian Anti-Doping Program, which covers testing (in and out of competition), education, medical exemptions and doping violation consequences.

What do other sports do regarding cannabis and testing?

Major League Baseball (MLB) only tests if they "suspect" usage. If a player tests positive, they pay a fine and must develop their own treatment plan. Ho-hum.

The National Hockey League (NHL) is even more confusing. Cannabis is not listed as a banned substance under the Program Enhancing Substances Program; however, it is tested for under the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) seems cannabis-friendly...just do it outside of our bi-annual athlete testing period. NBA players are tested multiple times during the season and a few times in the off-season. However, cannabis is NOT a tested substance during the off-season. Puff, Puff, NBA! We all remember the Cleveland Cavs locker room during the 2017 NBA Finals right?

The National Football League (NFL) tests players once per off-season (April 20 - August 9). Outside of that, puff away. If you come back with a negative test during the off-season, you are not tested again until the following off-season. Who knows how many players use cannabis during the season? Is it performance enhancing? Performance reducing? Neither? Both? We really do not know.

And what about the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)? We know many big names are cannabis users, like Nate Diaz and Connor McGregor. The UFC provides a window of testing before and after a fight. As long as you don't test positive during the window (which is a few days before and after), you are fine. Outside of the window, puff, puff!

The list of athletes coming out in support of cannabis use and finding their voice is growing by the year.

Some high profile athletes include: Ricky Williams, Eugene Monroe, Jake Plummer, Nate Jackson, Percy Harvin (NFL), Matt Barnes, Cliff Robinson, Kenyon Martin, Gary Payton (NBA), The Diaz Brothers, Ronda Rousey, Liz Carmouche (UFC/MMA), Floyd Landis (2006 Tour de France winner), Riley Cote (NHL), Rob Van Dam (ECW/WWE) and Amy Van Dyken (six-time Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer).

Cannabis Aficionado provided a great write up on athletes who advocate for cannabis in sport back in 2019.

Not to mention the fact many athletes, including those listed above, are also involved in the cannabis industry through ownership, partial ownership, sponsorship or other avenues. 

Cannabis is not just a drug for medicinal and recreational use, it is also a fast-growing industry for investment.

What's Next?

Who knows what the future will bring for cannabis in sport. We know we need more research and studies completed. We know everyone is kind of doing their own thing, which is very confusing and frustrating for athletes.

Cannabis can be legal where you live but illegal in your career.

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport has a website for Canadian athletes, especially student athletes, to help navigate and understand cannabis use as it pertains to sport. Worth noting, if medicinal cannabis is used, an athlete can apply for a medical exemption.

What we CAN do now is start with ending stigma. Cannabis is not the same drug we were warned about in the 70's and 80's through scare tactic commercials and in-school curriculum. 

There are MANY benefits to cannabis use. You would also be surprised to learn how many family, friends and athletes you know or look up to use cannabis on a regular basis.

If you think curling is immune to cannabis use, wake up and smell the weed!

There are MANY curling athletes who consume cannabis for a variety of reasons. Are you judging when you read that statement? You shouldn't be!

We need to first demystify cannabis as this "end of the world" drug and start looking at for what it really is, benefits and side effects combined.

Old school thinking needs to go. We are the next generation and cannabis use is a discussion worth having at the sport level. Time to adapt folks!

Wouldn't it be great to see more curlers take a stand on cannabis use, similar to some of the players mentioned above in the NFL or NBA? 

Why is there a fear to admit you consume cannabis? Find me a curler who would say they are embarrassed to admit they partake in an alcoholic beverage during an event. I'll wait.....

And wait.....

And keep waiting....

Now find me a curler willing to admit they consume cannabis. I'll wait....

And wait....

And keep waiting again....

We need more research. We need more athletes standing up for the right to cannabis use as a non-performance enhancing drug. But alas, this falls into social consciousness and we know how this blog feels about curling having a social conscious.

So we wait....

Stay Tuned

The #TwineTime blog will be returning for another curling season rock heads and stoners.

Finally the "stoners" term makes a perfect fit into a curling blog post.

The season preview post will slide out of the hack in August.

Get excited...but first enjoy the rest of your summer.

And never be afraid to Puff, Puff, Pass!