As cannabis becomes increasingly legal and accepted in the US and beyond, organizations from Amazon to the NBA are revising their drug testing policies to reflect evolving attitudes better. However, contradictions still exist, as demonstrated very publicly when a positive cannabis test eliminated sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson from competing in the 2021 Olympics. Today, governments, corporations, and athletic organizations have an opportunity and obligation to drive a cultural shift toward a more tolerant and equitable future by revising their drug testing policies and the misguided assumptions that caused them in the first place. Those who are rewriting their drug testing rules embrace a promising future of work, sports, and democracy where order, productivity, and cannabis coexist.
Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.
Chris Beals
Weedmaps
Rich Kleiman
Thirty Five Ventures / Boardroom
Shayda Torabi
RESTART CBD
Ricky Williams
Highsman