Gotta Watch That Secondhand Toke Drug Test Weeds Out Canadian Gold Medalist

The first Olympic gold medal in the youngest, hippest sport in the games - snowboarding - was stripped because of marijuana use.

Ross Rebagliati, 26, of Canada tested positive for the drug after his winning run in the men’s giant slalom Monday, the International Olympic Committee said.

It was the first positive drug test reported at the Nagano Games, and officials said they could not recall another Olympic case involving marijuana.

IOC director general Francois Carrard said Tuesday night that Rebagliati had been asked to return his gold medal. The Canadian Olympic Association said it would appeal the case.

The Canadian association’s chief, Carol Anne Letheran, said Rebagliati told officials he had not used marijuana since April 1997, and that the positive test was due to the times “he spends around marijuana users.” She called for a severe reprimand rather than suspension.

International ski federation rules allow 15 nanograms per milliliter; the IOC allows none. The fact that Rebagliati’s levels tested at 17.8 had a bearing on the decision.