Biden on Sha’Carri Richardson’s comment on cannabis use: ‘Rules are rules’

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President Joe Biden on Saturday condoned track star Shachary Richardson’s comment, but said he was “really proud of the way” she responded to the announcement.

Richardson has been in the national spotlight since her Olympic trial victories in June, but on Friday, she received a 30-day suspension of cannabis consumption that will bar her from certain events during the Tokyo Games later this month.

The World Anti-Doping Agency and the US Anti-Doping Agency both classify cannabis as a prohibited substance for athletes.

“Everyone knows what rules you’re going to follow,” Biden told reporters who asked about Richardson during an event in Michigan. “The question of whether they should remain this way, and whether this should remain the norm, is a different matter. The rules are the rules.”

On Thursday, when news first broke that she might face suspension, Richardson tweeted, “I’m human.”

In an interview with “Today” on Friday, she said she was aware of the ban on cannabis when she used it recently, but was using it to help her deal with her mother’s recent death. Richardson’s cannabis consumption has occurred in Oregon, where recreational marijuana has been legal since 2015.

“I know what I did, I know what I’m supposed to do, and what I’m allowed not to do. I’m still making that decision,” she said Friday.

In the time since her suspension was announced, Richardson has received huge support from the public, including fellow athletes, political figures and others who have anticipated her appearance in the 100m dash after she excelled in the Olympic trials.

Richardson’s 30-day suspension officially began on June 28, which put her 100m appearance in July in doubt. However, she will likely still qualify for the 4x100m relay if she is selected for the US team.

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