Contributed by Guest Blogger Dave Ellis, RD, CSCS
Recently,
the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) pulled cannabidiol (CBD) from the 2018
Prohibited Substance List. Previously, it was illegal for Olympic athletes
to use hemp products and isolates from hemp-like CBDs (1). Literally within 48 hours of WADA releasing
the news of CBD’s new permissible status, some of the bigger players in the CBD
supplement space began to target drug-tested athletes. Many of these companies make claims that some
of their CBD extracts are 100% THC-free, and in compliance with WADA testing
standards for THC. Yet, studies show significant inaccuracies on label claims
including the actual amount of CBD found in products, and the presence of THC
(2,3).
We
have no credible third-party certifying agencies that can currently ensure that
every batch of a CBD extract is truly THC-free. Skip lot testing (as often used for dietary supplements)
on THC levels in CBD products is not going to be good enough for drug-tested
athletes, and the folks doing the testing will have to be free of any conflicts
of interest with the hemp industry.
There
are no federal guidelines that determine label claim qualifications for
products promoted as being “THC free.”
One company making THC claims states that they are in compliance with
WADA’s “strict testing regulations” for THC by not exceeding 0.3% THC in the
product.
Like
caffeine, not everyone metabolizes cannabinoids the same (4). Even in small amounts, increased frequency of
use may well accumulate THC to the point of detection by a drug test. Athletes
who are drawn to CBDs as an intervention for pain, concussions, sleep, immune
health, etc., must proceed with caution.
Some
professional sports still consider CBD a prohibited substance. While most don’t
specifically test for CBD, they do not fund or supply any hemp-based
products to athletes, due to the lack of credible assurances or third-party
verification that each batch of the product is truly THC-free.
Athletes
are advised extreme caution when considering these unregulated and untested CBD
products.
1. Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes – 2018 WADA Prohibited List.
2.
Bonn-Miller, MO, Mallory JE Loflin, Brian F Thomas, et al. “Labeling Accuracy
of Cannabidiol Extracts Sold Online.” JAMA.
2017;318(17):1708-1709.
3.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Warning Letters and Test Results for
Cannabidiol-Related Products.” 2015-2017. https://www.fda.gov/newsevents/publichealthfocus/ucm484109.htm.
Updated Nov 2, 2017.
4.
Hawks, Richard L. The analysis of
cannabinoids in biological fluids. Vol. 42. Department of Health and Human
Services, Public Health Service, Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health
Administration, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1982.
Dave Ellis is a
Veteran Sports RD who specializes in food and supplement security for drug
tested athletes. His full bio and professional work can be found at daveellisbio.com.
