The Maryland Racing Commission has issued a notice to the industry confirming that regulations and recommended guidelines for the therapeutic use of clenbuterol came into effect on January 1, 2014.

The contents of the notice appear below.

It has come to the attention of the Maryland Racing Commission that there is misinformation being circulated within the racing community regarding the implementation of the new recommended withdrawal time and testing for clenbuterol.

To be clear, the recommended withdrawal time for the therapeutic use of clenbuterol prior to a horse’s race is 14 days. This recommendation, and the published uniform regulatory threshold to be employed by the laboratory conducting drug testing for the Commission, became effective on January 1, 2014 along with the other medication reforms that were enacted by the Commission.

The new guidelines and testing thresholds were the subject of public hearings by the Commission. They were finally adopted in November and the implementation date of January 1, 2014 has been stated from the outset in order to allow sufficient time for horsemen to adjust their treatment practices.

So there is no misunderstanding, the Commission will enforce the new regulatory threshold for clenbuterol.

We very much appreciate your cooperation as we transition into the new medication reforms.