Cannabis|noun|can•na•bis|\’ka-nә-bәs\:
any of the preparations (as marijuana or hashish) or chemicals (as THC) that
are derived from the hemp plant and are psychoactive.1
Essentially, marijuana is a species of cannabis, specifically
named Cannabis Indica or Cannabis Sativa. There are more than 100 different
cannabinoids that make up the marijuana plant; the most widely known are
Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (or THC) and cannabidiol (or CBD). THC is commonly attributable
to the psychoactive or euphoric side effects, while CBD is known for its more medicinal
effects. Marijuana (specifically THC) is banned by a majority of sports
organizations and is not eligible for medical exceptions or therapeutic use
exemptions (TUEs). So what about CBD?
Recently, CBD oils and creams available for purchase in
stores or on the internet have been growing in popularity, as seen in an
increase of Drug Free Sport AXIS™ inquiries for these products. CBD has been
cited for having some medicinal benefits, and homeopathic doctors are
prescribing CBD oils and creams for treatment. The Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA) classifies CBD extract as a Schedule I Controlled
Substance, which means it is illegal in states that have not passed medical
marijuana laws.2
Manufacturers may claim their products are “pure CBD” and do
not contain THC. However, there is no way to be certain the products do not also
contain THC. The DEA asserts that it is “not aware of any industrially-utilized
methods that have achieved this result [of 100% CBD].” 2 In February of 2016, the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) tested the composition of 22 CBD tinctures, oils, and
creams. A majority of the products were marketed to be “100% Pure CBD.” Upon
testing, the FDA found that almost all of the products tested did not have the
amount of CBD claimed; some products did not contain any CBD, while others
contained far less. THC was also present in measurable amounts in most of the
products.3
CBD products are not approved by the FDA for marketing or
distribution as safety and effectiveness have not been proven, and the federal
government classifies marijuana as an illegal substance. Therefore, the FDA does
not test these products before they are available to consumers. Since the FDA
does not test CBD products before becoming available to consumers, there is no
way to tell the amount of CBD (or THC) in each product. Therefore, AXIS
classifies CBD oils and creams as high risk products.
Dr. David Kuntz, Ph.D., Executive
Director of Analytical Toxicology for Clinical Reference Laboratories, affirms
“Plants are being specifically developed
to have high concentrations of CBD to maximize the compound in the bud.
It is my understanding that there are no 100% pure CBD products on the market,
and these products will contain minor to significant amounts of THC in the oil
depending on their purification steps.”
Bottom
line: The use of CBD oils, creams or tinctures may cause adverse
health effects and/or a positive drug test.
To learn more about the difference between THC and CBD, view this short
video and check out the new Marijuana tab on Drug Free Sport AXIS™.
Sources:
Other Resources:
- Committee on the Health Effects of Marijuana. (2017). The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine.
- Video: CBD is Schedule I and always has been
