The organization takes a “use at your own risk” approach
The PGA Tour isn’t ordering golfers to stay away from cannabidiol (CBD) but wants them to know that they need to be cautious. The organization has issued a warning to golfers, telling them that some CBD products might contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which, as a substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), could put a CBD-consuming golfer in a sand trap.
In a letter sent to golfers last month, the PGA Tour said that the decision by WADA to remove CBD from the banned-substance list “led to an increase of CBD products and marketing directed toward athletes at all levels of play.” It added, “CBD products (like all supplements) pose a risk to athletes because they have limited government regulation and may contain THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis that is prohibited.”
The letter continued, “If a player decides to use a CBD product, they assume the risk that the product may be contaminated with higher levels of THC than claimed on the label, potentially increasing their risk of a positive result on a drug test.”
The PGA Tour recently suspended a player for cannabis use. Robert Garrigus tested positive for the substance and was temporarily banned for three months. It was the first time the organization had suspended a golfer for cannabis.
The PGA Tour concluded its letter by stating, “Taking a poorly labeled supplement that is contaminated with a prohibited substance is NOT a defense to a violation of the Program. Therefore, we strongly recommend that if players choose to use supplements, they only use those that are NSF Certified for Sport.”