Pubdate: Sat, 25 Aug 2012
Source: Times Union (Albany, NY)
Copyright: 2012 Capital Newspapers Division of The Hearst Corporation
Contact: http://www.timesunion.com/forms/emaileditor.asp
Website: http://www.timesunion.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/452
Author: William Aiken

REMOVE MARIJUANA FROM DRUG TESTING

To the editor

Douglas Stellato Kabat's letter "Achieving higher performance," Aug. 
17, was an exercise in creative and flawed thinking. His points 
arguing pot can be a performance-enhancing drug are flawed.

Numerous studies and my own anecdotal experience tell me just the 
opposite; it's more difficult to focus on physical tasks when your 
concentration must be at its highest level to perform, especially in 
a sport like judo.

While those like Mr. Kabat who want more studies done to further 
demonize pot, it's perfectly legal for Olympic athletes to drink 
themselves into a drunken stupor. A hangover is definitely not going 
to give an edge to any athlete. Alcohol is much more damaging, but 
this product gets a pass from the World Anti-Doping Agency because it 
sponsors the Olympic games.

The WADA, which oversees drug testing for athletes, won't comment why 
pot is among the drugs tested for, though it considered removing pot 
from the forbidden list before the London Olympics.

Drug testing should level the playing field so no one has an unfair 
advantage. The WADA could save everybody a lot of headaches, time and 
resources by removing pot from its list.

WILLIAM AIKEN

Schenectady
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