Marijuana as Doping in Sports

Abstract

A high incidence of positive cases for cannabinoids, in analyses for doping control in sports, has been observed since the International Olympic Committee (IOC) included them in the 1989 list of prohibited drugs under the title of classes of prohibited substances in certain circumstances. Where the rules of sports federations so provide, tests are conducted for marijuana, hashish or any other cannabis product exposure by means of urinalysis of 11-nor-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (carboxy-THC) the main metabolite of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Concentrations >15 ng/mL (cut-off value) in confirmatory analytical procedures are considered doping. Cannabis is an illicit drug in several countries and has received much attention in the media for its potential therapeutic uses and the efforts to legalise its use. Studies have demonstrated that the use of cannabinoids can reduce anxiety, but it does not have ergogenic potential in sports activities. An increase in heart rate and blood pressure, decline of cardiac output and reduced psychomotor activity are some of the pharmacological effects of THC that will determine a decrease in athletic performance. An ergolytic activity of cannabis products has been observed in athletes of several different sport categories. In Brazil, analyses for doping control in sports, performed in our laboratories, have detected positive cases for carboxy-THC in urine samples of soccer, volleyball, cycling and other athletes. It is our intention to discuss in this article some points that may discourage individuals from using cannabis products during sports activities, even in the so-called permitted circumstances defined by the IOC and some sports federations.

Cannabinoids cases in polish athletes

“…In Belgium, for the years 1998-2001, the disciplines of sports in which carboxy-THC in samples was greater than 15 ng/ml were as follows: kick-boxing (8.7%), boxing (7.5%), ice hockey (6.9%), body building (6.4%), volleyball (6.3%) and sailing (5.1%) [39]. Laboratory in Cologne (Germany) reported, for the years 1998-1999, the following numbers: baseball (12.5%), squash (11.1%), badminton (10.5%), water skiing (8.3%), rugby (5.8%), American football (4.2%), taekwondo (3.7%) and wrestling (3.8%) [21,22] [3]. Up to now, no correlation was fund between the number of carboxy-THC cases and discipline of sport.…”

Frequency of Marijuana Use among Students in Sports and Medical Students at Two Universities in Bulgaria

“…The products of Cannabis sativa, such as marijuana, hashish, hash oil, sensemilla and others, obtained from different parts of the plant, are considered to be the most popular illicit drug throughout the world. Historically, these products were already use in the Chinese Empire in 2700 BC in the treatment of malaria and rheumatism [2,4].…”

“…The most important group is the cannabinoids, in which the substance delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most significant compound, due to its psychoactive properties [3,4].…”

“…The rate of absorption of the active component (THC) by the lungs is very high; consequently, immediate effects can occur depending on the dynamic of the smoking act: the duration and time interval of each inhalation, as well as the quantity of smoke inhaled [2,3,4]. When cannabis is smoked, the euphoric effects appear within minutes, peak in about 30 minutes, and last 2 to 4 hours.…”

“…When cannabis is smoked, the euphoric effects appear within minutes, peak in about 30 minutes, and last 2 to 4 hours. Some motor and cognitive effects last 5 to 12 hours [4].…”