Did the New Face of Marijuana Legalization Just Fail an Olympic Drug Test?
Just days after Cannabis.net sent out the Bat Signal for a new hero, one appeared, unfortunately.
Just days after publishing the now viral article, “Marijuana Legalization Needs a New Superhero, and It Can’t Be an Old White Guy”, track and field Olympian Sha’carri Richardson failed a pre-Olympic drug test for marijuana.
Sha-carri admits to using cannabis after finding out from a reporter that her birth mother has just passed away. She went on Good Morning America and told the world that she did use marijuana, she knew it was a banned substance, and that she is human, and didn’t handle a very emotional moment very well. She apologized for letting a nation down but followed up with a Tweet saying “I am human”.
A viral campaign around “LetHerRun has started a poignant debate about whether cannabis itself should be a banned substance for athletes, but also whether she should be allowed to race if she knowingly broke the rules.
In a true Conversations with God moment, Cannabis.net published a piece on who the next face of marijuana legalization could be and how it can’t be a standard traditional board member type person. While many celebrities have tweeted and IG’ed their support, legislators like Corey Booker, co-sponsor of the MORE ACT to legalize cannabis, have come out in vocal support of legalization and letting Sha-carri run in the Olympics.
The two separate discussions are whether marijuana should be a banned substance for athletes, since there is no medical study done that shows marijuana enhances athletic performance. It has helped athletes recover with inflammation and muscle soreness, but nothing to enhance heart rate, strength, or endurance. The second discussion is around whether someone who knowing and intentionally broke the rules for banned substances should be allowed to run.
In a breath in fresh air, while going live on Good Morning America, (click video above) Sha’carri appeared honest, genuine, did not make any excuses, took total responsibility for her actions, and explained the traumatic events that triggered her decision to use cannabis one morning.
While I don’t predict the Olympic committee overturning the 30-day suspension, what if this flash-point moment leads to a final legalization push for marijuana at the Federal level. Will the outcry lead to a national vote or Congressional change? Will support for the Safe Banking Act or MORE ACT now pick up the much-needed extra votes in the Senate?
Stay Tuned!
SOME MORE IDEAS FOR THE NEW FACE OF CANNABIS, READ THIS...
