New NCAA Marijuana Testing Policy Aimed at Cutting Drug Abuse Among Athletes

New NCAA Marijuana Testing Policy Aimed at Cutting Drug Abuse Among Athletes

Although it is not recognized as a performance-enhancing drug, marijuana use is undergoing more stringent restrictions by the NCAA. Why? These heavier limits on the drug’s use are designed to discourage marijuana use among athletes.

Marijuana Among Athletes

Marijuana use among college athletes has reportedly risen in recent years, as it has on college campuses in general, with negative consequences. The NCAA does not see marijuana as a performance-enhancing substance, as it seemingly lessens motor coordination and the player’s ability to concentrate while under its influence. However, marijuana is also believed to reduce the pain that users feel, which could benefit athletes. In fact, marijuana’s increasing popularity and use among athletes suggests that it helps rather than hurts them when it comes to their playing ability. However, marijuana’s effects vary from person to person, making it a complex issue for the NCAA to regulate.

Testing for Marijuana

The NCAA’s current stance on marijuana is that testing should be carried out among players because the federal government outlaws the drug. New tests in particular will uphold rigorous standards for marijuana use and abuse. Previously the threshold for marijuana traces was 15 nanograms per millimeter sample; now that threshold has been reduced to five nanograms per millimeter. This threshold, implemented in August , is intended to deter use of the drug.

As before, the NCAA will continue to perform drug tests at its championships and post-season bowl events.

The Penalty

Several developments concerning the penalties of marijuana use among athletes are also in the works, including:

·         A reduction of the penalty placed on athletes who are found using marijuana

·         A decrease from a full-season to half-season suspension for those found guilty

·         Approaching non-performance-enhancing drugs differently than performance-enhancing drugs

·         Changes implemented in August 2014

The reasons why athletes use marijuana are mostly speculative, with cited reasons ranging from stress relief to pain relief to just plain recreational use. Statistics do show that a large number of athletes do not return to their teams after facing a drug-related suspension. If an athlete is suspended for drug use, other measures may be necessary or desired, including counseling and treatment if a chronic drug abuse issue or addiction problem is identified.

If you believe that your loved one is using marijuana and requires treatment in order to stop, please call for assistance from one of our admissions coordinators today. We’re here to help.