Something hypocritical is up with Paris.

Snoop Dogg, our favourite Weed Ambassador, is drawing all types of affection for his participation within the 2024 Olympics being held within the City of Lights. And no query: The 52-year-old is completely hilarious. Simply put, he’s a shiny spirit lifting the tensions and anxieties which can be a part of any competitors, not to mention one the entire world is watching; one which athletes have skilled for years to take part in.

Snoop was not solely there cheering on the usA. Women’s Gymnastic group on the qualifier occasion on Monday, but additionally swimming with Michael Phelps, probably the most adorned Olympian in historical past. In a particular section that includes the 2, Snoop examined out his “lung power” with Phelps, a thinly veiled reference to the hip-hop legend’s avid love and use of marijuana- – which few of us have any downside with.

Still, whereas it truly is enjoyable to observe the rapper and entrepreneur’s shenanigans (all whereas he’s incomes that good paycheck he’s well-known for getting), it’s troublesome to totally recognize the second when contemplating the cruel remedy Sha’Carri Richardson confronted as a result of she additionally likes marijuana — and was suspended for utilizing it almost three years in the past.

What a Difference 3 Years Make

In 2021, Richardson surprised followers by dominating the Eugene, Oregon, trials with a 100-meter sprint time of 10.86 seconds. Despite the spectacular efficiency, Richardson’s win was invalidated as a result of it was discovered that she examined constructive for THC (hashish), which is prohibited by U.S. Anti-Doping Agency laws. The one-month suspension she was given as punishment, made Richardson ineligible for competitors within the Tokyo Olympics.

But the true query remained: Why ought to weed be banned if alcohol isn’t?

Scientific American unpacked the reply in an article revealed three weeks after Richardson’s suspension by which Dr. Angela Bryan, a professor of a professor of psychology and neuroscience on the University of Colorado Boulder, argued convincingly that the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) — from whom the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency stated it takes its lead — “…should take a look at more current evidence and reevaluate their position.”

“[Richardson] was doing something legal in the state that she was in for reasons that, frankly, seemed perfectly understandable—to deny her the chance to compete at the highest level just seems to me absolutely ridiculous,” Bryan asserted, additional arguing that “…it is unfair to apply a double standard to marijuana when alcohol—a substance that is not included in WADA’s prohibited list—has similar, if not worse, adverse effects…[and that alcohol] is…far riskier in cannabis use for health, in terms of morbidity and mortality.”

Heartless. Period.

During a TODAY interview that yr, the Dallas native revealed that she had used marijuana to deal with the sudden dying of her mom every week earlier than trials started.

“(I’m) not making an excuse or looking for any empathy in my case, but, however, being in that position in my life, finding out something like that, something that I would say is probably one of the biggest things that have impacted me … that definitely was a very heavy topic on me,” the athlete stated throughout her emotional interview with Savannah Guthrie.

“People don’t understand what it’s like to have to … go in front of the world and put on a face and hide my pain. Who am I to tell you how to cope when you’re dealing with the pain or you’re dealing with a struggle that you haven’t experienced before or that you thought you never would have to deal with?”

Even after realizing her mom simply died, the ugliness was astonishing. Who raised these varieties of individuals?

What’s Good for the Goose Is Good for the Gander, Right? Right?

Stay with me as a result of I already hear your pushback, so let me tackle it straight.

Yes, Snoop Dogg is an entertainer, not a observe and discipline star like Richardson. But why does he face minimal scrutiny and can also be capable of joke about weed throughout his internet hosting position on the Olympics when Richardson needed to navigate an extended redemption course of to safe her spot in Paris?

Again, we’re speaking a few substance that has minimal if any affect on efficiency when used at regular leisure ranges. We’re speaking a few substance that’s measurably much less dangerous than the drug that’s allowed — alcohol.

But don’t misunderstand me. This isn’t about pitting Snoop in opposition to Sha’Carri. I’m positive he was as disturbed by her suspension in 2021 as most of us had been. I’d wager much more. But the very fact stays that she confronted disgusting criticism and assaults throughout some of the weak moments in an individual’s life — whilst she continued to work tirelessly to regain her confidence on the observe.

And that’s simply not honest.

SEE ALSO:

Sha’Carri Richardson Nominated for Women’s World Athlete Of The Year Award

WNBA Contracts Controversy Reminds Us Why Brittney Griner Was Playing In Russia