UK Anti-Doping is responsible for ensuring sports bodies are compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code through the implementation and management of the UK’s National Anti-Doping Policy
UKAD protects clean sport and helps athletes, coaches and support personnel stay ahead of the game by providing comprehensive information and guidance.
Football players and athletes are no strangers to a wide range of performance-enhancing supplements and treatments. One that has become increasingly popular is CBD.
Understanding Cannabidiol CBD
CBD is a natural compound found in the cannabis (hemp) plant. It is a phytocannabinoid, one of 113 identified cannabinoids in the plant, and it belongs to the group of molecules called cannabinols.
Cannabidiol is gaining popularity as a well-being ingredient and can be found in a range of products such as oils, capsules, balms, vape juices and cosmetics.
Its effectiveness in improving wellbeing is supported by a growing body of evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), but long-term data is scarce.
A number of compounds in the cannabis plant can interfere with the activity of CBD, including tetrahydrocannabinol and terpenoids such as beta-myrcene, limonene, caryophyllene and p-cymene.
The Rules of Football and the World Anti-Doping Control
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) sets the anti-doping rules for football. These rules, and the way in which they are enforced, are set out in WADA’s Code.
The Code is supported by a series of International Standards which help to foster consistency in anti-doping rules and regulations across different sports and countries.
As a football player, or as the parent/carer/guardian of a football player, you have anti-doping responsibilities that you need to understand.
This includes the principle of strict liability – which means that you are solely responsible for any banned substance or method that is found in your system, regardless of how it got there and whether there was intention to cheat.
You must also be aware of the WADA Prohibited List, which lists all prohibited substances and methods. This list is updated on a regular basis, and you should ensure that you check it regularly.
If you have a legitimate medical reason to use a drug or treatment that is on the Prohibited List, you can apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption. There is a detailed process that you must follow, and UKAD can provide support if needed.
UKAD is the organization that implements and manages anti-doping policy in the United Kingdom, working with athletes and national sport bodies to ensure compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code. It is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
To ensure that the governing bodies of sport in the United Kingdom comply with the Code, UKAD also operates a service for individuals who wish to confidentially report suspicions of doping in sport.
This is operated in accordance with the Rules of Procedure for the Independent Appeals Tribunal for Doping (NADP). The NADP operates independently of the disciplinary procedures of each sport, but is subject to the UK’s legislative and legal framework for sporting disputes, including criminal proceedings.
UK Anti-Doping Advice on CBD Use
CBD has been widely marketed as a performance-enhancing supplement, with claims of anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. It has also been linked to reduced anxiety, improved sleep quality and increased endurance.
These benefits are supported by anecdotal reports and some limited clinical studies. However, further rigorous, controlled investigations are needed to clarify the utility of CBD in athletes.
The legality of CBD in sport is complicated, as it depends on the country or state’s law and whether it is used as a supplement or food additive. In the UK, CBD is permitted as a dietary supplement as long as it contains less than 0.2 percent THC and is lab-tested to be THC-free.
Some vendors sell CBD in a ‘full-spectrum’ form, which may contain other compounds that are prohibited under WADA regulations. Informed-Sport has advised athletes to only use products labeled as CBD isolate and with a certificate of analysis that confirms the product contains no prohibited substances.
UK Anti-Doping has stated that CBD cannot be recommended to athletes at this time because a third of the 23 samples tested from hemp-based CBD products in Germany showed levels of the prohibited substance 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) at concentrations that could provoke an adverse analytical finding.
This is due to the long window of detection for THC and the possibility of contamination with other cannabinoids that are currently prohibited under WADA’s Prohibited List rules.
While the availability of CBD is encouraging, it’s important to remember that, for now at least, athletes should consider it a dietary supplement and only use products with a certificate of analysis from an independent laboratory.
UK Anti-Doping has advised athletes to always use a quality assurance programme such as Informed-Sport when purchasing supplements. This programme checks for banned substances and ensures that supplements are manufactured in a clean environment.
Drug Testing and CBD
Many people use CBD products to alleviate issues such as regulating sleep patterns, controlling seizures, managing pain and reducing appetite loss.
Despite its proven health benefits, this natural compound is still considered a controlled substance under the UK Anti-Doping Rules and can therefore be subject to testing. CBD is one of over 80 biologically active chemicals known as cannabinoids in the Cannabis Sativa plant. While CBD itself does not have a psychoactive effect, it does contain trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which can lead to a positive drug test result.
This is why athletes should always be aware of the ingredients in their supplements and take care to only purchase high quality, fully-researched products.
Strict liability under the World Anti-Doping Code means that athletes are solely responsible for any prohibited substance found in their system, regardless of how it got there or whether they intended to cheat.
For this reason, it is essential that all athletes, parents/carers, coaches and athlete support personnel take their responsibilities seriously and make sure they understand all aspects of their Anti-Doping responsibilities, particularly those related to supplements and medicines.
It is also important that all athletes are familiar with the WADA prohibited list which changes on a regular basis.
To help with this, UK Anti-Doping has a resource for athletes called 100% Me. This provides education resources and information sessions for athletes on a range of topics, including supplement use.
As a final note, it is worth remembering that if an athlete does wish to use a supplement that is on the WADA prohibited list they must apply for a TUE (Testing Exemption) in advance through their National Anti-Doping Organisation.
This is only allowed in exceptional circumstances where it can be demonstrated that there will be a significant impact on an athlete’s health, performance or competition if the treatment is not permitted.
For more information on this process, athletes can contact their National Anti-Doping Organisation or visit the UKAD website for detailed guidance.
Final Considerations
After considering all of the evidence, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has concluded that footballers should avoid using CBD and other cannabis-derived products due to the risk of a potential doping violation.
Although research is ongoing into the therapeutic benefits of using CBD, this cannot be used as an excuse for use in sport at this time.
UKAD recommends that athletes consult their team doctor or medical professional before using any supplements, and to always check the ingredients of products carefully to ensure they are not on the WADA Prohibited List.
UKAD is continuing to follow developments in this area closely and will update its advice accordingly should new evidence become available.