Horses competing under USEF rules who test positive for natural cannabinoids, synthetic cannabinoids and other cannabimimetics will be considered in violation of GR4 beginning Sept. 1, the federation said. | Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt/The Horse

The US Equestrian Federation (USEF) announced May 14 that, effective Sept. 1, horses competing under USEF rules who test positive for natural and/or synthetic cannabinoids and other cannabimimetics will be considered in violation of the federation’s equine drug and medication rules.

Tasked with protecting the welfare of equine athletes and ensuring the balance of competition, USEF’s Equine Drugs and Medications Program monitors new products and product claims. From time-to-time, new products appear on the equine supplement market claiming to enhance a horse’s performance. Over the last several years, cannabinoids have gained increased attention.

In 2018 Congress passed the Agriculture Improvement Act (the Farm Bill), which defines hemp as both the plant Cannabis sativa L and any cannabis derivatives with less than 0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). With the bill’s enactment, hemp is no longer considered a controlled substance under federal law, but THC remains a Schedule I drug with the Drug Enforcement Agency. The Farm Bill’s passage has created some potential confusion with respect to the use of these substances with competition horses, the USEF said