Drug Free Sport New Zealand (DFSNZ) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Respondent after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Cannabis. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and Respondent was heard for the Tribunal.
Respondent admitted the violation. The Tribunal accepted evidence that the Cannabis was not taken for sports performance enhancing purposes but used with a friend in a time of personal stress for Respondent. The Tribunal took into account that Respondent was under stress during the time of use as this was relevant to fault but the Tribunal took the view that this is not a major consideration. That Respondent knowingly used cannabis two days before an important match while having been educated in, and being well aware, of the anti-doping rules and Basketball New Zealand’s commitment to them, means he must accept a reasonable degree of fault.
Therefore the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand decides to impose a 2 month period of ineligibility on the Respondent starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 23 June 2010.
