Facts
The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) alleges Curtis Cates for a violation of the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP). For doping test purposes a sample collection session took place on October 10, 2009. His sample tested positive on cannabis, Cannabis is a specified substance on the prohibited list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
History
The athlete smoked he smoked cannabis for a significant period of time before the sample collection. he had no intent to enhance his sport performance or mask another prohibited substance by using cannabis. His explanation, in summary, is that he used cannabis socially and only in recreational settings.
Decision
The CCES submits that based on the evidence now disclosed, the athlete should be sanctioned by the doping tribunal to a period of ineligibility of five months' duration. The CCES feels that such a sanction is fair and proportionate to the athletes' degree of fault for the anti-doping rule violation that has been determined.
However, the doping tribunal has the absolute discretion to select the proper sanction in every case and may accept the period proposed by the CCES or impose a lesser or greater sanction, as long as the period of ineligibility falls within the permitted range.
I agree with the CCES in this regard and, therefore, I adopt its recommendation for sanction in this matter. Accordingly, I hereby rule that athlete Curtis Cates is sanctioned to a period of ineligibility of five months' duration, commencing from March 5, 2010.
