South Carolina’s marijuana penalties among toughest in the SEC

Test positive for marijuana more than once, and it means trouble for any SEC or NCAA athlete.

Test positive twice at South Carolina, and an athlete faces about as much trouble as any in the conference.

The Gamecocks’ official drug policy comes in as one of the toughest in the SEC according to data compiled by the Associated Press. South Carolina is one of 27 schools listed that levy a suspension for the second failed test. Only three other SEC schools listed fall into the group.

The data included 57 of 65 power conference programs and every SEC school except Vanderbilt.

South Carolina's suspension costs an athlete 25 percent of his or her season. The only other schools that penalize on the second offense are Georgia (30 percent), Florida (10 percent) and Missouri (seven days). Most of the other conference schools start official punishment at the third failed test.

A third failed test gets an athlete dismissed from the program.

Clemson's policy involves a suspension for 10 percent of the season, though there is a community service factor.

According to the AP, "Athletes who test positive a first time typically receive counseling but lose no playing time."

AP Exclusive: Schools ease athlete penalties for marijuana

Power Five conference recreational drug policies highlights

This story was originally published December 30, 2015 at 12:38 PM with the headline "South Carolina’s marijuana penalties among toughest in the SEC."