The Chronic Magazine (August 2021)

Cannabis Marijuana

The Reefer Madness Continues at the expense of Sha’Carri Richardson

VERONICA CASTILLO

America claims to be the best and freest country in the world, yet American residents and citizens have yet to experience true freedom. In America, residents and citizens have the freedom to make choices from a set of standards that they must abide by.

America says that it’s okay to consume drugs, but only from their list. America says that it’s okay to work, but only from their list of professions. America says that it’s okay to consume plants, but only plants on their list and in their form.

Not even in a legal, recreational, adult consumption state like Oregon, can one consume cannabis without the risk of losing what they have worked so hard for. America says it’s okay to consume tea, shop for herbs, smoke herbal blends- it just can’t be cannabis. Because of this, Sha’Carri Richardson was suspended, then taken off of the Olympic team.

WHO IS

Sha'Carri Richardson?

Sha’Carri is a Dallas, TX-born, American track and field sprinter who rose to fame in 2019 as a freshman at Louisiana State University. She ran 10.75 seconds to break the 100 m record at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championships. This win made her one of the top 10 fastest women in history. In April 2021, Sha’Carri did it again; she ran 10.72 seconds becoming the 6th fastest woman of all time and the 4th fastest American woman in history.

In July of 2021, Sha’Carri tested positive for cannabis marijuana. In multiple statements, and in an interview that Sha’Carri did with Good Morning America, the reason stated for consumption was due to news of her mom passing away, and Sha’Carri coping with the news of that loss. Because of the failed test, Sha’Carri was suspended, then removed from the 2021 Olympics.