AP Photo/Ashley LandisThe sports world has been furious at Sha'Carri Richardson’s one-month ban from the Olympics for positive drug tests.Friday's statement by the United States Anti-Doping Agency stated that Richardson's June 19 post-race drug test was positive for marijuana.Richardson apologized for the situation in an interview Friday with Savannah Guthrie, on Today. After the death of her biological mother, she said that she started using marijuana as a way to cope shortly before the United States Olympic Trials.Since Richardson's suspension was made public, athletes from all sports have responded. Warning: Some tweets contain strong language.Richardson will be suspended as part of USADA’s official discipline. She will remain suspended until July 28. This makes Richardson ineligible for the Tokyo Olympics women's 100 meter race.Richardson would have been one of the favourites to win the 100-meter gold medal at the Olympics later in the month. The 21-year old won the U.S. Olympic Trials women's event last month.According to World Athletics Richardson's 10.72 second run at Florida's Ansin Sports Complex on April 10, is the sixth fastest time in the women’s 100.Richardson may be able to participate in the relay of 4x100 meters for the U.S. Women's Team at the Olympics on August 6, if she is included to the squad.In recent years, several professional North American sports leagues have relaxed their rules regarding marijuana use. Although the NHL still tests for marijuana use, they don't discipline players if results are positive.Major League Baseball has removed marijuana as a banned substance, but players can be disciplined if they violate existing marijuana laws (e.g. possession and distribution as well as driving under the influence).Players will not be suspended for positive marijuana tests under the terms of the NFL's new collective bargaining agreement. The testing period was reduced from four months to two weeks and the threshold for positive results has been increased from 35 to 150 nanograms of THC.
