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ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

Alcohol consumption is prohibited during boules and pétanque games. For the duration of the competitions, the maximum permissible blood alcohol level is 0.225 g/l of alcohol in the air exhaled (breath test), which corresponds to 0.5 g/l in the blood.

The WBPF-FMBP includes in its internal competition regulations targeted alcohol tests during competitions. In the event of a positive test, the athlete tested will be excluded from the competition and his/her team will be disqualified. Repeat offenders are liable to heavier sanctions from the WBPF-FMBP, up to and including suspension.

CANNABIS & CBD (source: Liste des interdictions 2023, Stop-cannabis.ch)

Cannabis & sports competition

Cannabis can be detected at sporting events by testing urine for THCCOOH. THC from cannabis is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream after inhalation and metabolized into several metabolites, including the 11-hydroxy-THC metabolite, oxidized to THCCOOH and THCCOOH-glucuronide and sulfate. THCCOOH has been chosen as the benchmark for urinalysis.

Until very recently, WADA's accepted tolerance threshold for cannabis was 15ng/ml THCCOOH. This very low threshold meant that there was a risk of testing positive after a competition, even after smoking for weeks beforehand.

On the other hand, passive inhalation of cannabinoids cannot result in urinary THCCOOH concentrations in excess of 15ng/ml, contrary to what some have claimed.

The World Anti-Doping Agency decided to raise its cannabis tolerance threshold from 15ng/ml to 150 ng/ml on May 11, 2013.

This means that, with the current threshold, the athletes most at risk of testing positive are those who have consumed significant quantities of THC close to the doping control test in competition, or are chronic users.

As with all substances prohibited in competition only, athletes in regions where cannabis consumption is legal are advised to abstain from cannabis for several days before the start of the competition. 

This change in threshold should perhaps help to reduce the consumption of “spice”, mixed plant preparations which are very powerful analogues of cannabinoids, undetectable in urine, used by athletes to counter the risk of testing positive for cannabis. However, these substances have unknown and potentially dangerous toxicological properties that can lead to prolonged intoxication.

In their May 2013 study, Mateus Bergamaschi and José-Alexandre Crippa recommend including all illicit drugs, their compounds and analogues in the anti-doping program. This is to protect athletes' health and promote health, fairness and equality in sport. 

CBD and competition: Is taking CBD for sport doping ?

Today, professional sport is subject to numerous anti-doping controls. It is therefore logical to ask whether the consumption of cannabidiol falls within the list of prohibited substances, and could lead to disciplinary sanctions by sports authorities.

  • CBD sometimes contains a small dose of THC (<0.3%), which is considered a doping substance.
  • Consumption of CBD can lead to a positive result in anti-doping tests

CBD is authorized for use in sports competitions, but it is the THC it partly contains that can disqualify an athlete.

Consumption of CBD is authorized for athletes on one condition: that it has a THC content of zero.

It's perfectly possible to test positive for THC (even if its presence is less than or equal to 0.3%) after consuming CBD, since its tolerance is equal to 0 under drug consumption regulations.

What does a sportsman or woman who consumes CBD before and after a competition risk ?

Quite simply, they risk violating anti-doping rules and being sanctioned if the CBD consumed contains an infinitesimal proportion of THC.

In the event of a doping control, if the test reveals the presence of THC, the athlete risks :

  • suspension from participation in competitions or sporting events for 3 months;
  • official publication of his name, the doping products consumed, the sanctions taken and the anti-doping procedure carried out;
  • outright annulment of individual or team results if more than two team members also test positive.

Is it possible to buy THC-free CBD ?

Some manufacturers now offer THC-free CBD products. However, only top-of-the-range products that have been tested by independent laboratories can guarantee the absence of the molecule.

It is therefore advisable to be very cautious when consuming CBD, even when sold with a 0% THC content. The tests currently used by sports authorities are extremely precise, and a blood test is always taken in case of doubt.

What are the advantages of CBD for amateur athletes ?

Before a sports session, CBD improves concentration, reduces stress and boosts energy. Taking CBD after sports training makes for :

  • easier recovery ;
  • less cramp and soreness;
  • reduced inflammation and recovery after exercise;
  • recovery through quality sleep;
  • faster recovery from injury.