USADA announced today that Marc Marquez of West Nyack, New York, a weightlifting athlete, has accepted a three-month period of non-compliance for anti-doping rule violations.
Marquez, 26, 11-nor-9-carboxy-tetrahydrocannabinol (Carboxy-THC), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) urinary metabolite, major psychoactive component of cannabis, marijuana, and marijuana tested positive above urine Decision Limit 2022 North on December 3, 2022 180 ng/mL as a result of a sample collected during competition at the US Open Finals. Marijuana, marijuana and hashish are Specified Substances in the class of Cannabinoids and are prohibited in competitions. The USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic Committee’s National Anti-Doping Policies and the International Weightlifting Federation Anti-Doping Rules, all of which comply with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Under the 2021 Act, THC is classified under a special category that allows for a reduced three-month sanction if the athlete determines that the use of the substance is non-competitive and unrelated to sports performance. The sanction may be reduced to one more month if the athlete satisfactorily completes a USADA-approved treatment program.
Marquez was entitled to a reduced sanction because its use was out of competition and unrelated to sports performance. Marquez accepted a three-month ban beginning January 10, 2023, the date of his temporary suspension. In addition, Marquez was disqualified from all competition results obtained on December 3, 2022, the date his positive sample was taken; including reclaiming medals, points and prizes.
WADA requests information about the updated version of the Prohibited List each year. USADA has advocated and will continue to advocate for policymaker WADA to handle marijuana in a fairer and more effective way to determine its true competitive use.
In an effort to help athletes and support team members such as parents and coaches understand the rules that apply to them, USADA provides comprehensive instructions on its website on the testing process and prohibited substances, how to file and update the athlete. where, how to get permission to use a necessary medicine and the risks and dangers of taking it supplementsas well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs.
USADA also administers a drug reference line called the Global Drug Reference Online.GlobalDRO.com), organizes training sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and distributes a wealth of training materials such as: additional guideA nutrition guideA clean sports handbookand periodic warnings and advice.
USADA provides a variety of ways to report abuse of performance-enhancing drugs in sports to protect clean athletes and promote clean competition. Any tip can be reported using USADA Play Clean Hint Centerby text message to 87232 (“USADA”), by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. JavaScript must be enabled to view.At 1-877-Play Clean (1-877-752-9253) or by mail.
USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement and is equally committed to maintaining the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.
For more information or media inquiries, Click here.
Friday, 28 April 2023