Doping: Wada wants to check the status of cannabis as a prohibited substance

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The World Anti-Doping Agency, Wada, will review the status of cannabis on its list of prohibited substances.

After a meeting of the Wada Executive Committee in Istanbul, the global anti-doping authority announced that a scientific study of the drug would be carried out next year.

Cannabis will remain banned in 2022.

"After receiving motions from a number of stakeholders, the executive committee approved the decision of the advisory group of experts on the list to initiate a scientific review of the status of cannabis in 2022," a Wada statement said.

Cannabis as a doping agent hit the headlines before the Olympics when US sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson tested positive for marijuana at the US trials in Eugene, Oregon, and missed the Tokyo Summer Games.

Richardson was banned for 30 days.

Marijuana is obtained from the cannabis plant.

The 21-year-old had admitted to using the drug.

On NBC's "Today" show, she cited a "state of emotional pain" caused by the news of her birth mother's death.

"I apologize for not knowing how to control my emotions or how to deal with my emotions during this time," said the sprinter.

Richardson's suspension had caused a lot of criticism and sensation among US athletes, also far beyond the boundaries of athletics.

The US federation said it was "incredibly compassionate" about the circumstances.

However, you have to be fair to the other athletes who, for their part, have worked for the dream of participating in the Olympics.

Most recently, Sebastian Coe, President of the World Athletics Federation, spoke out in favor of a review of cannabis as a prohibited substance.

ara / sid / dpa