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Up In Smoke: Increased THC Testing Thresholds May Lead to Fewer Positives and Cannabinoid Positives Ineligibility |
Executive Summary - NCAA banned-drug policies affect student-athletes eligibility for NCAA post-season participation
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NCAA recently adopted a proposal that revises penalties for student-athletes testing positive for cannabinoid use
- Revised penalties focus on education-based corrective actions
- A second-positive test for cannabinoids will no longer include a 50% of maximum regular season contests penalties if student-athlete fulfills institutional education and management plan for substance misuse
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NCAA changes reflect societal changes including increased legalization and access to cannabinoids
- NCAA tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) testing thresholds also increased to align with World-Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) benchmarks--which, conversely, could result in fewer positive marijuana tests for NCAA Student-Athletes
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Via recommendations from the Competitive Safeguards & Medical Aspects of Sports (CSMAS) Committee, the NCAA further revamped its approach to managing treatment and outcomes for student-athletes testing positive for cannabinoid-defined drugs with the adoption of a proposal that went into effect earlier this year.
Specifically, the new NCAA legislation spells out that a student-athlete who, as a result of a drug test administered by the NCAA, tests positive for use of a substance in the banned drug class cannabinoids (in accordance with the testing methods authorized by the Board of Governors) shall engage, with the institution, in an education and management plan for substance misuse (e.g., engagement with campus counseling services, participation in identified programs to address the substance misuse, enrollment in evidence-based educational sessions) as developed or facilitated by the institution.
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In terms of a second positive test, if a student-athlete who previously tested positive for use of a substance in the banned drug class cannabinoids tests positive a second time for the use of a substance in the banned drug class cannabinoids, the institution must attest that the student-athlete was compliant with the education and management plan required following the student-athlete's first positive test, as specified by the policies and procedures of the NCAA Drug-Testing Program, and has agreed to continue to engage in an education and management plan for substance misuse (e.g., engagement with campus counseling services, participation in identified programs to address substance misuse, enrollment in evidence-based educational sessions) as developed or facilitated by the institution and designed to mitigate any identified at-risk behavior.
If an institution cannot or does not attest the student-athlete’s compliance with the education and management plan, the student-athlete shall be ineligible for competition during 25 percent of a season in all sports (25 percent of the NCAA Bylaw 17 maximum regular-season contests or dates of competition). |
What happens if a student-athlete tests positive three or more times?
If a student-athlete who previously tested positive for use of a substance in the banned drug class cannabinoids tests positive a third time or more for use of a substance in the banned drug class cannabinoids, the institution must attest that the student-athlete was compliant with the education and management plan required following the student-athlete's second or subsequent positive test, as specified by the policies and procedures of the NCAA Drug-Testing Program, and has agreed to continue to engage in an education and management plan for substance misuse (e.g., engagement with campus counseling services, participation in identified programs to address substance misuse, enrollment in evidence-based educational sessions) as developed or facilitated by the institution and designed to mitigate any identified at-risk behavior.
This adopted proposal acknowledges the changing landscape surrounding cannabis use and recognizes a growing need to recenter student-athlete health and well-being as a primary focus within cannabinoid policy.
The newly adopted proposal prioritizes: 1) identification and deterrence of problematic cannabis use; (2) treatment and education over sanction; and (3) consideration of the fragmented nature of state laws as well as changing social opinions about cannabis. The application of existing penalties may result in a student-athlete discontinuing enrollment rather than seeking help for problematic behavior. |
Importantly, this change is intended to create a pathway for student-athletes to maintain eligibility and enrollment while participating in education and management plans specific to their needs, as developed or facilitated by their institutions, and the flexibility for institutions to determine appropriate treatment parameters based on available resources, philosophy, and student-athlete need. Institutions would not be required to submit the locally developed or facilitated education and management plans to the NCAA. Through a survey administered in 2021, the membership indicated Association-wide support for reconsideration of existing cannabinoid policy.
This new policy took effect for positive tests occurring on or after August 1, 2022.
On a related note, the CSMAS had received the December 2021, January and February 2022 reports of its Drug-Testing Subcommittee and approved the NCAA Drug-Testing Subcommittee’s recommendation to amend the CSMAS drug-testing policy to align the NCAA tetrahydrocannabinol threshold with that of the World Anti-Doping Agency, effective immediately and applicable to drug tests administered fall 2021 and later. The change reflects CSMAS’ commitment to identifying and deterring problematic cannabis use and recognizes the changing legal and social landscape around cannabinoids.
CSMAS noted that alignment with WADA is intended to provide increased continuity with respect to student-athletes who compete collegiately and internationally. Finally, this additional alignment with WADA [the NCAA Drug-Testing Program already aligns with WADA’s list of banned substances (other than glucocorticoids)] is designed to defer to WADA, the world leader in anti-doping, with respect to any future updates to the THC threshold. |
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