NCAA loosens marijuana rules for college athletes

The NCAA said Friday that it was raising its allowable THC limits in its mandatory drug-testing program.

The maximum THC threshold for college athletes in mandatory drug tests had been 35 nanograms per milliliter. The threshold has been raised to 150 nanograms per milliliter, effective immediately. The NCAA said that it applied to all drug tests administered “in fall 2021 or later.”

"Reconsidering the NCAA approach to cannabis testing and management is consistent with feedback from membership on how to better support and educate student-athletes in a society with rapidly evolving public health and cultural views regarding cannabis use," NCAA chief medical officer Dr. Brian Hainline said in a statement. "Marijuana is not considered a performance-enhancing substance, but it remains important for member schools to engage student-athletes regarding substance-use prevention and provide management and support when appropriate."

Students who test positive for marijuana under the new rules are also able to keep their eligibility after up to three positive tests. After a first positive test, a school must provide “a management plan and education” for the athlete. The athlete can then stay eligible after the second and third positive tests if he or she is found to be in compliance with that management plan. If the athlete is found to be out of compliance — and there are no details in the NCAA release regarding what that could mean — he or she could end up being ineligible for a portion of the season.

The NCAA’s changes come after the World Anti-Doping Agency said it would review its rules regarding marijuana in September 2021, and states across the country have legalized marijuana for various uses and decriminalize its possession. Marijuana is legal for recreational use in 20 states and territories across the United States, and there are only 11 states where THC is either completely illegal or confined to CBD products.