COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. - The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced today that Joe Warren of Colorado Springs, Colo., an athlete in the sport of Greco-Roman wrestling, tested positive for a prohibited substance and accepted a suspension for his first doping offense.

Warren, 29, tested positive for metabolites of cannabis or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) at the FILA Junior, Senior & Veterans National Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 15, 2006. Cannabinoids are listed as "specified substances" and are prohibited under the USADA Protocol and the rules of the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA), both of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List. Cannabinoids are listed as "specified substances" because they are less likely to be abused as doping agents.

Warren accepted a three-month suspension. As part of his sanction, he agreed to participate in an anti-doping educational program. Because Warren completed this program, he received a three-month period of deferment, allowing for an immediate return to competition. 

As a result of the doping violation, Warren has been disqualified from his event results at the National Championships including his first-place finish in the Seniors 60 kg/132 lbs Greco-Roman division.

USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. USADA is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.