A would-be preferred walk-on at Auburn from the Class of 2019 has been told he can't play there because of his use of cannabis oil to treat epileptic seizures.
According to Macon, Ga., TV station WGXA, C.J. Harris, a senior safety from Warner Robins, Ga., received an offer of a preferred walk-on at Auburn shortly after helping lead Warner Robins High School to a state championship appearance. A few weeks ago, after Auburn had reviewed his medical records, they told Harris' father, Curtis, he couldn't play.
The reason? He wouldn't pass NCAA-mandated drug tests with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in his system.
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Curtis Harris said breaking the news to his son — who considers playing for the Tigers his "dream" — was "one of the hardest things I've ever done."
"You're taking something away from a kid who's worked so hard in his life to get there," Curtis Harris said. "And you're just taking it away because he's taking a medication that's helping with his disability."
That leaves Harris with limited options: Continue taking the medicine that has helped limit his seizures (he reportedly hasn't had a single one since starting his treatment in January), look at alternate treatments that don't involve THC or look at playing football through the JUCO or NAIA route.
