Testing positive for cannabis carries negative consequences for athletes.

Athletes who are active in university, college, junior football and Canada Games competitions are each subject to random, no-advanced-notice testing for this substance during their competitive season. Canada Games athletes are subject to in-competition testing and weed is tested for in urine samples.

A substance is placed on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of prohibited substances if it meets two of the three following criteria:
1) Use of the substance has potential to, or can enhance performance
2) Use of the substance presents an actual or potential health risk
3) Use of the substance violates the spirit of sport

Cannabis is viewed as meeting criteria two and three, and in rare cases criteria No. 1.

It is understood cannabis is seen to have little or no performance enhancing value in the vast majority of sports. It is a prohibited substance.

A positive test is an anti-doping rule violation.

The penalties are as follows:

1. First positive test: Disqualification from the competition, including the forfeit of the event AND POSSIBLY CAREER medals, points, and prizes as well as additional sanctions from a reprimand to a two-year period of ineligibility, and the possible ineligibility for federal funding. Universities and Colleges often impose additional consequences based on the school's internal policies.

2. Second positive test: depending on the sanction resulting from the first positive test, a second positive test would result in a period of ineligibility ranging from one (1) to four (4) years and the possible ineligibility for federal funding.

3. Third positive test: depending on the circumstances, a third positive test would result in a period of ineligibility ranging from eight (8) years to a lifetime ban, as well as the possible ineligibility for federal funding.

These are the WADA rules. The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport is required to publicly report results of positive tests (in cases of a reprimand with no period of ineligibility imposed, an athlete's name will not be released).

Excuses on the grounds of passive (secondary) exposure are seldom successful in reversing a anti-doping rule violation.