The Olympic dream for American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson has been crushed by cannabis.

The 5-foot-1 track and field star rose to fame in 2019 as a freshman at Louisiana State University, where she clocked 10.75 seconds in the 100-meter dash to break the NCAA record.

On June 19, Richardson won the 100 meters during the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., where the 21-year-old stopped the watch at 10.86 seconds to punch her ticket to the Tokyo Olympics that are scheduled to begin July 23. That’s the exact same time it took to land a top-three podium spot during the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Richardson’s personal best of 10.72 seconds is the fastest time in the world this year.

But Richardson’s Tokyo aspirations were halted July 1, when it became public she tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component found in cannabis, from a urinary sample collected during the team trials, as first reported by Jamaica Gleaner.

Since Jan. 1, 2021, cannabis has been classified as a “Substance of Abuse” by the World Anti-Doping Agency and currently carries a maximum four-year ban. However, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) said in a statement July 2 that Richardson accepted a one-month suspension—as permitted under the applicable international rules.

“The rules are clear, but this is heartbreaking on many levels,” USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart said. “Hopefully, her acceptance of responsibility and apology will be an important example to us all that we can successfully overcome our regrettable decisions, despite the costly consequences of this one to her.”

According to the USADA, the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code newly classifies THC as a Substance of Abuse because it is frequently used in society outside the context of sport. Should an athlete who tests positive for a Substance of Abuse establish his or her use of the substance occurred out of competition and was unrelated to sports performance, the athlete would receive a three-month sanction. However, if the athlete satisfactorily completes a Substance of Abuse treatment program approved by USADA, the sanction may be further reduced to one month.

NBC Sports Group 

On the Today show July 2, Richardson said she consumed cannabis after learning her biological mother died just before the trials. As shown on NBC television during the trials, she hugged her grandmother in a post-victory embrace following the 100-meter finals.

“My family has kept me grounded. This year has been crazy for me going from just last week losing my biological mother, and I’m still here,” Richardson said during an interview shortly after. “My biological mother passed away, and [I’m] still choosing to pursue my dreams, still coming out here, still making sure to make the family that I do still have on this earth proud.”

While Richardson is disqualified from her U.S. Trials victory, and therefore forfeits her automatic qualification to Tokyo in the 100 meters, her 30-day suspension ends July 27. That opens the door for her to possibly compete on the U.S. women’s relay team races, including the 4x100 relay scheduled for Aug. 5-6.

Beyond the one-month sanction, athlete eligibility for the Tokyo Games is determined by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the USA Track and Field eligibility rules.

“Right now, I’m just putting all of my time and energy into dealing with what I need to do, which is heal myself,” Richardson said during her Today show interview. “So, if I’m allowed to receive that blessing, then I’m grateful for it, but if not, right now I’m going to just focus on myself.”

In a July 1 tweet, Richardson said, “I am human.”

Richardson’s sponsor, Nike, released a public statement July 2 saying it would stand by her: “We appreciate Sha’Carri’s honesty and accountability and will continue to support her through this time.”

North Carolina took a step toward medical cannabis legalization Wednesday when lawmakers advanced legislation through committee to permit the sale of cannabis and cannabis-infused products to patients with "debilitating medical conditions."

Some of the qualifying conditions written in the bill include cancer, epilepsy, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson's disease, HIV, AIDS, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and more. 

The legislation would establish the regulatory framework for the manufacturing, licensing, distribution and cultivation of medical cannabis in the state.

If passed, a Medical Cannabis Production Commission would issue 10 supplier licenses. The legislation would also reduce the maximum number of medical cannabis centers per supplier from eight to four and would require suppliers to pay the state 10% of the gross revenue derived from cannabis and cannabis-infused products, The Associated Press reported.

The legislation was adopted in a voice vote by Senate Judiciary Committee members, according to the AP, as the majority agreed that cannabis should be offered legally to help alleviate symptoms like pain and nausea caused by severe illnesses and diseases.

Republican Sen. Bill Rabon, bill sponsor and cancer survivor, said the bill had moved him because of his personal experience. "At times, it has been difficult for me to talk to some people about that," Rabon told the committee. "But I will say again that the time has come that this needs to be discussed, and we need to compassionately care for our fellow man in any way that we can."

In the first hearing on the bill last week, military veterans expressed their support for the measure stating that cannabis helped alleviate PTSD symptoms. Others criticized the bill for being too narrowly drawn, the AP reported.

Chris Suttle, a cannabis legalization activist, told the committee that he used cannabis when he was suffering from a brain tumor to help alleviate symptoms like swelling in his brain, according to WRAL-TV; however, he said he doesn't believe the bill would have covered his illness at the time because the tumor could not immediately be identified as cancerous.

"You call this the Compassionate Care Act. I call this an insult," Suttle said. "The number of dispensaries that you are offering is ridiculous for a state that has 100 counties. The extra regulations that you are putting on this are not fair to those that have been hurt the worst by the war on drugs."

Conservatives argued against the legislation saying it would lead to an increase in recreational use and that the effectiveness of cannabis use for medical illnesses remains uncertain, according to the AP.

Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League of North Carolina, argued that "smoked marijuana is not medicine."

Republican Sen. Kathy Harrington said that she would not have supported this bill six months ago; however, her mind has changed once her husband was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and has been going through cancer treatments. "I believe we've already had some moments in our lives where this type of medication would have assisted," she said.

Although the measure cleared its first hurdle, it still has to pass through at least three additional panels before making it to the Senate floor. If passed, it would then head to the House of Representatives for consideration.

PORT WASHINGTON, New York, July 1, 2021 - PRESS RELEASE - The Hawthorne Gardening Company, a house of brands that provides an array of tools for a multitude of gardening needs to help people live happier, healthier lives through gardening, announced a 5-year exclusive partnership between owned brand Max-Fan and German-based fan manufacturer Ruck Ventilatoren. The agreement is the latest in Hawthorne’s landmark efforts to join forces with leaders in the indoor cultivation industry, and will enhance product availability and innovation for growers of all kinds.

As a pioneer in indoor air filtration products, Max-Fan has worked with Ruck for more than 10 years. Together, the companies have engineered fans and filters designed to help encourage plant growth and help keep indoor facilities compliant with environmental impact regulations. This new exclusive partnership marks a significant milestone in the two brands’ relationship by empowering Hawthorne and Max-Fan to meet the skyrocketing demands of the indoor cultivation industry with high-quality, custom-designed products more quickly and consistently than ever.

“Max-Fan and Ruck are truly better together. Hawthorne is continuously forming elite partnerships to bring the best fans and filters to the North American market, and Ruck is no exception. We’re ready to push the limits of innovation,” said John Feather, manager, Max-Fan and Can-Filters at The Hawthorne Gardening Company. 

In the third episode of Cannabis Conference's new podcast series Beyond the Show, CEO of Aster Farms Julia Jacobson talks with Digital Editor Eric Sandy about what it’s like to run a cannabis company in Lake County, Calif.—one of the driest areas in the U.S.

Jacobson shares the many upsides to growing in a dry climate (longer growing season, fewer problems with mold and rain, as just two examples); however, Jacobson’s outdoor operation is susceptible to weather events. In 2018, Aster Farms was at the center of the largest wildfire in California history: the Mendocino Complex Fire. Jacobson describes what it was like to lose both her crop and farm animals and explains how the farm has altered its techniques and practices to ensure that it’s better prepared for possible future environmental setbacks.  

Jacobson gives a sneak peek at what she will speak about during her session “Outdoor Cultivation Strategies for Environmental Variables & Disaster Preparedness” at Cannabis Conference 2021, including: 

• What drew her to starting a career in the cannabis industry; 

• How climate events have affected the way she goes about business and her personal life; 

• How a business can mitigate water access year-to-year; and  

• Why it’s important for cannabis businesses to conduct yearly sustainability reports. 
  

If you’re interested in hearing more from Jacobson about best practices to protect your crop from temperature swings, harsh weather elements and pests, register for Cannabis Conference 2021 (Aug. 24-26 at Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino). Her session, “Outdoor Cultivation Strategies for Environmental Variables & Disaster Preparedness” will be held Aug. 24 from 11:20 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. PT. Register before regular registration rates expire July 31, 2021. 

Be sure to stay up to date with Beyond the Show, and tune in on Spotify, Google Play, iTunes or CannabisBusinessTimes.com. New episodes air every Friday.