You have been warned!

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) would like to warn Canadian athletes that a doping violation for marijuana or other specified substances is much more likely to result in a suspension and public disclosure of the athlete's identity under the 2009 Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP).

Under the previous CADP, the use of specified substances (such as marijuana) typically resulted in a warning and reprimand with no period of sport ineligibility when the athlete could describe how the substance entered his or her body and prove that the use was non-performance-enhancing.

Under the new CADP, it is more likely that a suspension period will be imposed for this type of violation. Furthermore, any violation that results in a period of ineligibility will result in public disclosure of the athlete's name in a media release and on the CCES website.

The reason for this change is that under the 2009 CADP, there is a greater burden of proof on the athlete prior to becoming eligible for a reduced sanction. In addition to the previous CADP's requirements, the athlete must now establish that the substance was not intended to mask a performance-enhancing substance, and provide compelling, corroborating evidence from another person regarding the absence of intent to enhance performance. Only if this three-part test is satisfied will it be possible to seek a reduction in sanction, from two years of ineligibility down to the lowest possibility - a reprimand.