Sha’Carri Richardson recently received an Olympic suspension after testing positive for marijuana. The state that she used the cannabis in, Oregon, had legalized marijuana over five years ago for recreational use. Still, the punishment was handed down. One can argue that Richardson simply did not follow the rules, which is exactly how President Biden responded to a reporter who asked him about the suspension.
“The rules are the rules and everybody knows of the rules going in,” the president declared. However, he did suggest that the rules should be changed. “Whether they should remain the rules is a different issue, but the rules are the rules … but I was really proud of the way she responded,” he continued.
Liberals took it one step further and called the suspension outright irresponsible and racist. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D) tweeted, “We worked with @RepRaskin and the Subcommittee on Civil Rights & Civil Liberties to formally ask @USAntiDoping to end Sha’Carri Richardson’s suspension. Their decision lacks any scientific basis. It’s rooted solely in the systemic racism that’s long driven anti-marijuana laws.”
Even famous cannabis enthusiast, comedian, and actor Seth Rogen had some words for the Olympic board. “The notion that weed is a problematic ‘drug’ is rooted in racism,” he tweeted. “It’s insane that Team USA would disqualify one of this country’s most talented athletes over thinking that’s rooted in hatred. It’s something they should be ashamed of. Also if weed made you fast, I’d be FloJo.”
Although President Biden has not supported all-out cannabis legalization, he has signaled support for decriminalization on a federal level.
Leave a comment
All comments are moderated before being published.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.