Dwyane Wade Supports Sha'Carri Richardson Over Marijuana Suspension

NBA star Dwyane Wade is supporting Olympic sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson after the runner was suspended from the Toyko games after testing positive for marijuana.

The American sprinter, who was one of the lead athletes to watch this year, apologized Friday morning for testing positive for the banned substance. As you can imagine, the situation sparked a fierce debate online about weed NOT being a performance-enhancing drug -- and the argument that the rule is a bit outdated.

Dwyane jumped in on the conversation after a sports analyst posted a message saying, "It's legal to recreationally smoke weed in 19+ states, including the one where Richardson tested positive, while the NFL, NBA, and MLB have softened their stance. But we're still going to stop an Olympian from competing due to a non-performance-enhancing drug? Makes no sense."

Wade agreed, responding, "But a majority of y’all rule-makers smoke and probably are investors in THC companies. Let’s stop playing these games." The basketball star also made his position known by re-tweeting several messages including, "Weed is NOT performance-enhancing" and "Sha'Carri Richardson broke a rule. And it’s ridiculous weed has this stigma. Both things can be true. She handled this entire ordeal like an adult and accepted complete responsibility. The conversation now should be about athlete’s mental health and improving that response."

He continued, "In a world where people are literally making millions upon millions growing and selling it! Y’all ever heard of a fine?"

Ricardson appeared on The 'Today Show' where she apologized for the dirty test. "As much as I'm disappointed I know that when I step on the track I represent not only myself, I represent a community that has shown great support, great love ... I apologize for the fact that I didn't know how to control my emotions or deal with my emotions during that time," she said.

As for the Olympics, the United States Anti-Doping Agency announced that Ricardson has accepted a one-month suspension. In accepting the penalty, her results from the U.S. Olympic trials have been "disqualified, and she forfeits any medals, points, and prizes."

Interestingly, Richardson explained she used marijuana for coping with the loss of her biological mother. "We all have our different struggles, we all have our different things we deal with, but to put on a face and have to go out in front of the world and put on a face and hide my pain," she said. Adding, "Who are you? Who am I to tell you how to cope when you're dealing with pain or you're dealing with a struggle that you've never experienced before or that you never thought you'd have to deal with. Who am I to tell you how to cope? Who am I to tell you you're wrong for hurting?"

Unfortunately, the sprinter was the front runner to win Gold in the 2021 Olympics. The good news, as we reported, Nike is sticking with the star runner after saying they appreciate her honesty in the situation.