Pubdate: Fri, 10 Aug 2012
Source: USA Today (US)
Copyright: 2012 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc
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Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/466
Author: Paul Armentano

USOC HAS BIGGER CONCERNS THAN ATHLETE USE OF POT

Kudos to judo wrestler Stephany Lee for speaking frankly and 
convincingly about the double standard of punishing athletes for 
their personal use of marijuana, but turning a blind eye to their 
recreational use of a far more deleterious substance: alcohol 
("Olympic Ouster brings marijuana issue to the forefront").

Given the prevalence and known harms associated with the use of 
performance-enhancing drugs, it seems counterintuitive for officials 
to levy some of their strictest penalties upon cannabis consumers.

Sports regulators such as the United States Olympic Committee and the 
World Anti-Doping Agency ought to be primarily concerned with 
preserving the integrity of the Games, and the health and well being 
of those who participate in them.

These regulatory bodies should not be using their power to enforce 
America's overzealous and punitive drug war orthodoxy.

Paul Armentano, Deputy director

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws; Washington, D.C.
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