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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Australia: Player banned 16 matches for cannabis
The Age
Friday 15 Dec 2006 A north Queensland rugby league player has copped a 16-match suspension after returning a positive test to the banned substance cannabis. Jabin Picker, a former Queensland Cup player, returned a positive sample taken by Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) representatives in Mackay on September 3. He had just helped Souths Mackay win the regional grand final. ASADA released details of the positive test on Friday and Queensland Rugby League managing director Ross Livermore confirmed Picker's 16-match penalty. While the QRL's judiciary deemed cannabis was not "performance enhancing" the "very high level" resulted in it handing down a heavier ban than might have been the case. Picker is the third rugby league player in Queensland to return a positive drug test this year. Livermore said the latest suspension should be a clear message to all players that cannabis is not accepted in rugby league. "If they won't to use it, then don't play rugby league," said Livermore. ASADA tested 91 rugby league players in Queensland, and extended their campaign to include regional venues and competitions for 17 and 19 year-olds. The World Anti Doping Authority (WADA) added cannabis and the commonly used cold and `flu drug pseudoephedrine to its banned list this year. An ASADA spokesperson said six athletes had tested positive to cannabis since it was added to ASADA's banned list in March 2006. "Athletes are still not comprehending that the illicit use of cannabis can result in a positive drug test on match day," said the spokesperson in a statement.
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