List of Track and Field Stars Who Smoke Weed

• Cannabis violations have derailed Olympic dreams – Sha’Carri Richardson’s positive THC test at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials remains one of the most high-profile cases, sparking national debate about marijuana’s place on WADA’s banned substances list
• Suspensions follow a structured reduction pathway – Under the 2021 Code, THC is treated as a ‘Substance of Abuse’ with initial 3-month sanctions that may be reduced to 1 month after completing an approved treatment program when use is deemed unrelated to sport performance
• Ultramarathon runners openly embrace cannabis – Unlike WADA-tested athletes, ultramarathon competitors frequently discuss THC use during training because many ultra events lack formal drug testing protocols
• Even legends have admitted past use – Usain Bolt acknowledged using marijuana as a teenager in Jamaica, though he has no publicly recorded anti-doping sanction during his decorated career
• The regulatory landscape keeps evolving – WADA’s Prohibited List prohibits cannabinoids in-competition (not out-of-competition), and the cannabis decision limit has been raised historically, signaling shifting attitudes toward the substance
• Field athletes face the same scrutiny – Long jumpers Tara Davis-Woodhall and James Carter Jr. both received suspensions for cannabis violations, proving the issue extends beyond track events

Cannabis and track and field share an uneasy relationship. Unlike skateboarding or snowboarding, athletics has never embraced marijuana as part of its cultural identity. Yet the cases keep emerging—from world-record sprinters to Olympic long jumpers to ultramarathon specialists who openly advocate for THC as a training aid.

For athletes exploring cannabis strains for recovery or focus, these stories illustrate both the potential benefits and the very real competitive consequences that can follow.

No cannabis-related case in track and field history generated more attention than Sha’Carri Richardson’s positive THC test at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials. At just 21 years old, the 100-meter champion saw her Tokyo Olympic hopes evaporate in a matter of days.

• Event: 100m, 200m sprints
• Confirmation: Failed drug test at U.S. Olympic Trials; public admission on NBC’s TODAY Show
• Reason given: Used cannabis to cope with learning of her biological mother’s death from a reporter just days before the competition
• Penalty: One-month USADA suspension; results from Olympic Trials disqualified
• Career recovery: Went on to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics, putting the suspension behind her

Richardson’s case became a lightning rod for debate about whether cannabis should remain on WADA’s prohibited list. USADA CEO Travis Tygart issued a statement acknowledging the “debate about whether marijuana should be on the prohibited list” while explaining that current rules required the sanction. The sprinter’s honesty about using marijuana during an emotionally devastating period earned her widespread public sympathy, even as it cost her an Olympic berth.

U.S. long jumper Tara Davis-Woodhall knows both the sting of cannabis suspension and the heights of Olympic glory. In 2023, she tested positive for THC at the USA Indoor Championships—and was stripped of her national title as a result.

• Event: Long jump
• Confirmation: Failed drug test at 2023 USA Indoor Championships; later publicly admitted use
• Penalty: One-month USADA suspension; national title vacated
• Public response: Accepted responsibility for the violation in public statements
• Career recovery: Won Olympic gold medal in long jump at 2024 Paris Olympics

Davis-Woodhall’s trajectory mirrors Richardson’s—a cannabis suspension followed by ultimate competitive redemption. Her willingness to accept responsibility and move forward offers a template for athletes navigating similar situations. For those seeking cannabis for wellness purposes, her story underscores the importance of understanding competitive testing windows.

The fastest human ever timed, Usain Bolt holds world records in the 100m and 200m that have stood for over 15 years. While he has no publicly recorded anti-doping sanction during his legendary career, Bolt admitted teenage marijuana use in Jamaica in a 2009 interview with German newspaper Bild.

• Event: 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay
• Confirmation: Public admission of teenage marijuana use in Jamaica; issued apology after interview
• Testing history: No publicly recorded anti-doping sanction during professional career
• Cultural context: Grew up in Jamaica, where cannabis use carries different cultural connotations
• Career achievements: 8-time Olympic gold medalist; world record holder in 100m (9.58) and 200m (19.19)

Bolt’s admission illustrates how cannabis use among elite athletes often predates their professional careers. His flawless drug testing record as a competitor shows that teenage experimentation doesn’t necessarily continue into elite athletic careers—or that mature athletes learn to navigate testing protocols more carefully.

The 2018 U.S. 400-meter champion, Kahmari Montgomery received a one-month suspension in June 2021 after testing positive for THC at the Miramar Invitational.

• Event: 400m
• Confirmation: Failed drug test at Miramar Invitational; USADA sanction announcement
• Penalty: One-month suspension
• Career context: 2018 U.S. 400m champion; successful international relay competitor
• Timing: Suspension came the same month as Richardson’s, highlighting how common cannabis violations had become among American sprinters

Montgomery’s case received far less attention than Richardson’s, despite occurring the same month. The disparity illustrates how Olympic proximity and public narrative shape media coverage of cannabis violations more than the violations themselves.

Iowa All-American James Carter Jr. became one of the most recent track and field athletes to receive a cannabis suspension when he tested positive for THC at the 2025 USA Indoor Championships.

• Event: Long jump, triple jump
• Confirmation: Failed drug test at 2025 USA Indoor Championships
• Penalty: One-month USADA suspension
• Background: Former University of Iowa standout; All-American in jumping events
• Significance: Among the most recent documented cases, showing cannabis violations continue despite high-profile precedents

Carter’s case demonstrates that despite the attention generated by Richardson’s and Davis-Woodhall’s suspensions, athletes continue testing positive for THC at major domestic competitions.

Colorado-based ultramarathon runner Avery Collins represents a completely different relationship between track and field and cannabis. A winner of the grueling Colorado 200 Mile Endurance Run, Collins openly discusses consuming THC edibles during training and has secured cannabis company sponsorships.

• Event: Ultramarathon (200-mile and 100-mile races)
• Confirmation: Public admission in interviews with SB Nation, Wall Street Journal, and other major outlets; cannabis company sponsorships
• Use pattern: Consumes THC edibles during long training runs
• Business ventures: Sponsored by cannabis companies; featured in multiple publications discussing cannabis and running
• Testing context: Most ultramarathon events lack WADA-style drug testing, allowing open discussion

Collins represents the ultramarathon community’s radically different approach to cannabis. Without formal drug testing at most ultra events, runners can openly explore cannabis products for endurance training without career consequences. His success—winning races while openly using THC—challenges assumptions about cannabis and athletic performance.

Featured prominently in Christopher McDougall’s bestselling book “Born to Run,” Jenn Shelton set the U.S. 100-mile trail record and qualified for the 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials. She has been outspoken about marijuana’s benefits for runners.

• Event: Ultramarathon; 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier
• Confirmation: Public statements to Wall Street Journal and other outlets
• Stated benefits: Cannabis helps runners “manage pain, not puke, and stay calm” during extreme endurance events
• Cultural significance: Featured in “Born to Run,” one of the most influential running books of the 21st century
• Record holder: Set U.S. 100-mile trail record in 2007

Shelton’s credentials make her cannabis advocacy particularly noteworthy. As an Olympic Trials qualifier who transitioned to ultramarathons, she bridges the worlds of formally tested and untested distance running. Her articulation of specific benefits—pain management, nausea control, mental calm—offers practical insight for runners considering cannabis education for performance and recovery.

Ultramarathon runner Heather Mashhoodi participated in a CU Boulder study examining how cannabis affects exercise, publicly discussing her use of THC gummies during training runs.

• Event: Ultramarathon
• Confirmation: Participation in academic research study; public statements about cannabis use
• Use pattern: Takes THC gummies mid-run during long training sessions
• Research contribution: Part of scientific study at CU Boulder exploring cannabis and exercise
• Significance: Represents athletes contributing to formal research on cannabis and athletic performance

Mashhoodi’s participation in academic research adds scientific credibility to anecdotal claims about cannabis and running. The CU Boulder study she contributed to represents growing academic interest in understanding how THC affects workout enjoyment, perceived exertion, and recovery.

The eight verified cases reveal a stark divide within track and field. Athletes competing in WADA/USADA-tested events—sprints, jumps, throws, and standard marathons—face strict consequences for cannabis use. Richardson, Davis-Woodhall, Montgomery, and Carter all received suspensions that disrupted their competitive calendars.

Meanwhile, ultramarathon runners operate in an entirely different environment. Collins, Shelton, and Mashhoodi can openly discuss cannabis use because most ultra events lack formal drug testing. This creates a unique space where elite athletes can explore THC as a training tool without risking their careers.

Current WADA rules treat cannabis violations differently than performance-enhancing drugs. Under the 2021 Code, THC is treated as a ‘Substance of Abuse.’ In cases where an athlete establishes out-of-competition use unrelated to performance, sanctions start at 3 months and may be further reduced to 1 month after completing an approved treatment program. This relatively lenient treatment reflects ongoing debate about whether cannabis belongs on the prohibited list at all.

This list is U.S.-heavy, reflecting USADA’s public sanction reporting—but cannabis use and controversy in track & field clearly extends beyond the U.S. (e.g., Bolt’s admitted teenage use in Jamaica). Other national anti-doping agencies may handle cannabis violations differently, with less public disclosure.

For athletes and fans interested in exploring cannabis responsibly, finding trusted dispensaries near you provides access to products from reputable sources with clear labeling and dosing information.