NCAA Divisions II and III Remove Cannabinoids from
List of NCAA Banned Substances
 

In April, NCAA Divisions II and III adopted legislation that removes cannabinoids (which includes cannabis) from the list of NCAA banned substances.
  • Effective immediately, THC (the psychoactive compound in cannabis) will no longer be tested for during NCAA sponsored Divisions II and III drug-testing events. Schools may elect to conduct their own drug-testing events and continue to test for THC.
Resources:
Cannabis in Collegiate Athletics Evidence- and Consensus- Based Statements
Question and Answer Document
Student-Athlete Health and Wellness Study Findings
NCAA Drug-Testing Program
SSI Spotlight on Cannabinoids Part I Registration
SSI Spotlight on Cannabinoids Part II Registration
Background: In September 2023, the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports recommended the removal of cannabinoids from the list of banned substances. CSMAS’ recommendation was informed, in part, by the December 2022 Summit on Cannabis in Collegiate Sport.
  • Read the Cannabis in Collegiate Athletics Evidence- and Consensus-Based Statements.
  • Read the Question and Answer Document on CSMAS’ recommendation.

Key Talking Points: The following talking points were developed to help schools educate student-athletes and other campus stakeholders on the change.
  1. Removing cannabinoids from the NCAA list of banned substances supports a shift to harm-reduction strategies for student-athletes and are best managed at the campus level.
  2. Random testing for cannabinoids/cannabis at NCAA championships was not an effective strategy for identifying or deterring cannabis use.
  3. The NCAA does not condone the use of cannabis by collegiate athletes.
  4. Cannabis use can negatively impact student-athlete mental and physical health, and impair athletic performance.
  5. Science does not support the use of cannabis to treat mental health symptoms and disorders or sleep difficulties. Indeed, cannabis use negatively impacts restorative sleep and may impede the treatment of mental health symptoms and disorders.
  6. Science is inconclusive regarding the effectiveness of cannabis for pain management.
  7. The updated NCAA Drug-Testing Program addresses cannabinoids like other non-performance enhancing drugs such as alcohol.
  8. The cannabinoids class includes cannabis (marijuana); therefore, the NCAA will no longer test for THC (the psychoactive substance in cannabis) at NCAA Divisions II and III championships or any other Division II or III drug-testing event.
  9. Open communication, education, local-level screening and drug-testing are harm-reduction strategies that may provide more effective pathways for the identification, prevention and management of problematic cannabis use.
  10. CSMAS has extensively studied this issue, and its recommendation was informed by subject matter experts, including medical providers and scientists, substance misuse experts and membership practitioners.
  11. Education about contemporary cannabis and the harm associated with problematic use is essential to effectively implementing this policy change.
What’s Next: Division I will consider the same action in June. Ongoing education regarding the shift to harm-reduction strategies will be provided to the membership. This will include:
  • A two-part SSI Spotlight on Cannabinoids series highlighting cannabinoid legislation and policy in collegiate athletics and discussion of a harm-reduction approach for the prevention, identification and management of problematic cannabis use at the local level.
    • Session No. 1: Evidence- and Consensus- Based Guidance. May 22, noon to 1 p.m. Eastern - Click here to register and learn more.
    • Session No. 2: Harm-Reduction Strategies. May 29, noon to 1 p.m. Eastern - Click here to register and learn more.
  • Educational resources that address common myths about cannabis, provide guidance on implementing a harm-reduction approach and more.
  • Information on local-level screening and drug testing.
  • The updated NCAA Drug-Testing Program manual will be available in July.
For additional information on the NCAA Drug Testing Program or resources on substance misuse, please visit Doping and Substance Misuse.
This email was sent to NCAA Divisions II and III Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Designees, Athletics Health Care Administrators, Conference Commissioners, Directors of Athletics, Directors of Compliance, Directors of Mental Health Counseling, Drug-Testing Site Coordinators, Faculty Athletics Representatives, Head Athletic Trainers, Head Team Physicians, Presidents and Chancellors and Senior Woman Administrators based on contact information in the NCAA Directory.