Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are substances that come from the plant Cannabis sativa and are among the most commonly used illegal drugs around the world. The drug is also known as marijuana or ganja. Marijuana does not have any known performance-enhancing [Page 223]effects for athletes, but its use is banned in and out of competition.

The psychoactive chemical in cannabis is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). There are dozens of colorful slang terms for marijuana, ranging from common terms such as weed or pot to references to the amounts that are sold or how much it costs. References used in buying marijuana can be interesting and obscure. One might hear someone asking how much a certain piece of clothing costs when talking in code about buying drugs. A “shirt” might refer to 1/8 ounce (oz; 3.5 gram [g]), whereas “pants” are ¼ oz (7 g), and a “jacket” is 1 oz (28 g). Another popular code is any number of references to “420,” which is rumored to have come from the legend of a group of kids in California in the 1970s who smoked marijuana every day at 4:20 p.m.

Cannabis can be prepared into a concentrated resin (hashish) and smoked, vaporized, or ingested (alone or baked and cooked into food products). Usually, however, the dried leaves of the plant are smoked in a pipe or a rolled cigarette. It is typically used as a recreational drug, but there are some medical applications. Accepted medical use includes preparations of THC to stimulate appetite and relieve nausea in patients receiving chemotherapy. Marijuana has also been used to treat conditions such as chronic pain and glaucoma. Medical use of cannabis remain controversial, in part because of the suspicion that many people who are using the drug under the guise of medical treatment do not have the condition that they claim or could do well enough with other, more traditional treatments.

Research has not indicated that users develop a strong physical dependence on cannabinoids, and there are no significant physical withdrawal symptoms once they are stopped. There can be psychological dependence, however. In addition, chronic users may incur significant health risks, particularly from the effects of smoke inhalation, beyond the threat of consequences from law enforcement. For most major sports, including Olympic sports, drug testing panels include a test for cannabinoids. A positive test in competition will result in disqualification and possibly other sanctions. Cannabis is fat soluble and may be detected by modern tests for up to 4 weeks after use.

Side effects can include difficulty in concentrating, impaired motor skills, dry mouth, and depression or apathy. In addition, smoking the drug can cause cough, impair lung capacity, and contribute to cancer. Panic attacks, paranoia, and anxiety are common side effects while the drug is being used.

Over the past three decades, marijuana has been cultivated to make it much more potent. In addition, as with any illicit drug, the purity of each dose cannot be guaranteed. Unexpected exposure to drugs such as phencyclidine (PCP; aka Angel Dust) or gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB; a date rape drug) when smoking or ingesting marijuana has been reported.

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