Owen Trout’s cannabis ban is disclosed after his return to Leigh
Owen Trout’s absence from Leigh Leopards earlier in the season followed a cannabis test and a suspension that has already ended. The England rugby league forward admitted use before a Wakefield match and completed an approved treatment programme. The November disclosure details a period when the club had publicly discussed supporting him without identifying the reason.
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The test found a cannabis metabolite
Owen Trout, the England rugby league forward who played for Leigh Leopards, served a one-month cannabis suspension that has now been disclosed. UK Anti-Doping collected his urine sample at the match against Wakefield Trinity on 20 March. Analysis found carboxy-THC, a metabolite of tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound in cannabis. Trout admitted consuming a cannabis gummy and smoking cannabis in the preceding week. The ban covered participation in all sport complying with the World Anti-Doping Code.[1], [2]
The rules allow a reduction after treatment
The substance is prohibited in competition and listed among cannabinoids in section S8 of the prohibited list and classified as a substance of abuse under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s rules. Athletes can receive a reduced three-month ban if they establish use outside competition and in a context unrelated to sporting performance. Completion of an approved substance-abuse treatment programme can reduce that period further to one month.[2]
An independent scientific expert concluded that Trout most likely ingested THC outside competition, before the end of 19 March. Trout said he had stopped using cannabis and was starting treatment. UK Anti-Doping formally charged him on 20 July under Article 2.1 with the presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites or markers. He admitted the charge and supplied satisfactory evidence that he had completed the approved programme.[2]
The sanction ended before the planned Cronulla move
Credit for provisional suspension placed the one-month ban between 22 May and 21 June. UK Anti-Doping said Trout was free to participate again when it announced the case. His absence from Leigh matches had run from 16 May to 27 June, a different period from the formal sanction. Coach Adrian Lam said in June that the club was supporting the player, handling his situation week by week without setting a return date.[1], [2]
Trout was 27 when the disclosure was made. The Yorkshire-born forward had represented England against Australia the previous year. He returned to play for Leigh during the season and is due to join Cronulla Sharks in Australia’s National Rugby League next season.[1]
