CBD Cleared For Use By Athletes

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) made a huge move last week when they removed cannabidiol (CBD) from their list of prohibited substances, affecting hundreds of sports organizations all around the world. The only difference from the current list to next years list is adding cannabidiol as an exception to the ban on marijuana products that include THC. CBD products have gained attention over the last several years as legal marijuana has sweeped the nation. Cannabidiol products do not get the user high like other cannabis products with THC, instead the CBD is used commonly now to treat seizures, relieve pain, and CBD even acts as an anti-inflammatory and has neuroprotective traits. These new rules go into effect on January 1st.

Whole-plant marijuana and THC are still banned under the new rules, which go into effect on January 1. That’s a crucial point, because “cannabidiol extracted from cannabis plants may also contain varying concentrations of THC,” explains a separate WADA document summarizing changes to the organization’s banned drugs list.