Claressa Shields Fights Back Against Marijuana Suspension
Claressa Shields, the undefeated boxing powerhouse and two-time Olympic gold medalist, is speaking out after being suspended due to a positive marijuana test. Shields, known for her dominance in the ring, has maintained her innocence, stating that she has never used marijuana and that the test result may have stemmed from secondhand exposure.
The 29-year-old athlete took to Instagram to share her frustration and provide a timeline of the testing process. She emphasized that while her initial test— a saliva swab— showed traces of marijuana, a follow-up urine test, the most reliable method, came back negative.
Breaking Down the Timeline of Events
Shields provided a clear breakdown of how the situation unfolded:
- February 3: A saliva sample was collected after her fight.
- February 7: Shields was notified that the test came back positive for marijuana at a trace level of 3.4 ng/ml.
- February 8: She immediately scheduled and took a urine test.
- February 11: The urine test came back negative, confirming there was no marijuana in her system.
Despite the negative urine test, Shields still faced suspension, leading her to question the fairness of the decision.
Claressa Shields Speaks Out on Tamron Hall
In an exclusive interview on The Tamron Hall Show, Shields explained how the test results could have been influenced by her environment.
“The place reeked of marijuana,” Shields recalled, referring to the venue where the fight took place in Michigan. She described how fans surrounded her post-fight, embracing and congratulating her, which could have led to the positive oral swab result.
Shields firmly stood by her integrity, explaining that she took a urine test as soon as possible to prove she was clean. “I take my integrity seriously inside and outside the ring,” she said, emphasizing that she has always competed clean throughout her career.
The Science Behind Oral Swabs vs. Urine Tests
Tamron Hall highlighted that saliva tests are far less reliable than urine tests when detecting marijuana use. Oral swabs can pick up trace amounts from passive exposure, such as being in a smoke-filled room, whereas urine tests provide a more accurate measure of actual drug consumption over time.
Shields’ case has reignited the conversation about whether saliva tests are fair in professional sports, especially for athletes who may be exposed to substances indirectly.
Unfair Treatment of Black Women in Sports?
Beyond the scientific debate, Shields pointed to a larger issue— the disproportionate scrutiny and challenges faced by Black women in sports.
“When I read [the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission’s statement], that’s what kind of hurt my feelings a little bit,” Shields admitted. “I know that I don’t do anything wrong when it comes to boxing. And being a Black woman in the sport already, I have to work 10 times harder to even get equal pay, to even get put on TV, to get respect.”
The commission went as far as labeling Shields as “a threat to the integrity of professional boxing.” Shields was visibly emotional when discussing how quickly the media and critics jumped to paint her as guilty, despite her immediate efforts to prove her innocence.
“I don’t even get to prove my innocence; I’m just already guilty,” she said. “Everybody’s posting this stuff, saying that I’m a danger to the sport, I’m suspended, I smoke marijuana.”
What’s Next for Claressa Shields?
Despite the suspension, Shields made it clear that this setback won’t keep her out of the ring. She clarified that her suspension only applies to Michigan, meaning she is still able to fight elsewhere.
Last week, Shields secured another victory, defeating Danielle Perkins. With multiple world championships under her belt and a reputation as one of the greatest female boxers of all time, Shields’ career remains untouchable— even when facing unfair obstacles.
Her fans and supporters have rallied behind her, pointing out the inconsistencies in how drug test results are handled across different sports and athletes.
At The End of the Day…
Claressa Shields’ fight isn’t just about a false positive drug test— it’s about fairness in sports, the treatment of Black women, and standing up against unjust accusations. Her transparency and determination to clear her name highlight her character both inside and outside the ring.
The question now remains: Will boxing’s governing bodies reassess their testing protocols, or will they continue to uphold decisions that disproportionately impact Black athletes?
💬 Black Cosmopolitans, what do you think? Do you believe Shields’ explanation, or do you think the commission’s actions were justified? Let’s talk in the comments!
