'Ridiculous and Wrong;' Lawmakers, Athletes Condemn Sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson's Marijuana Suspension

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF/AP) -- Bay Area lawmakers and athletes were among those offering support to U.S. sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson and decrying the punishment she was handed after testing positive for cannabis use.

Richardson has been suspended from the team and will lose her slot at the Olympic 100-meter race for testing positive for THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Her result at the Olympic trials was erased and fourth-place finisher Jenna Prandini is expected to get Richardson's spot in the 100. Richardson's 30-day suspension may still allow her to compete in the women's relays.

Richardson said during a TV interview she smoked marijuana as a way of coping with her mother's recent death. Before word of the suspension, she cryptically sent out a tweet which simply said, "I am human."

Though there have been wide-ranging debates about whether marijuana should be considered a performance-enhancing drug, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency makes clear on its website that "all synthetic and naturally occurring cannabinoids are prohibited in-competition, except for cannabidiol (CBD)," a byproduct that is being explored for possible medical benefits.

In the Bay Area, the reaction to the penalty for use of cannabis was condemned by lawmakers and athletes. Bay Area congresswoman Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) called it "shameful" and said in a tweet, "Out of date & discriminatory marijuana laws trickle down & have life-altering consequences."

San Francisco Supervisor Matt Haney called the penalty "ridiculous and wrong."

State Sen. Scott Wiener said cannabis is legal and helps people medically and should be removed from the list of banned substances.

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman bemoaned both Richardson's suspension and the fact that she was forced to explain her use of a legal substance.

Former 49ers cornerback and TV analyst Deion Sanders said he was praying for Richardson and that she would overcome this adversity.

While not weighing in on her prospects for the relays, USA Track and Field issued a statement that said her "situation is incredibly unfortunate and devastating for everyone involved." The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee said it was "working with USATF to determine the appropriate next steps."

Richardson said if she's allowed to run in the relay, "I'm grateful, but if not, I'm just going to focus on myself."

Richardson's suspension denies the Olympics of a much-hyped race and an electric personality. She ran at the trials with flowing orange hair and long fingernails.

"To put on a face and go out in front of the world and hide my pain, who am I to tell you how to cope when you're dealing with pain and struggles you've never had to experience before?" Richardson said.

© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

In:
• Marijuana
• Olympics
• Cannabis