Maryland Commission Approves Steroid Ban

Published: September 17, 2008 11:00 am EDT

The Maryland Horse Racing Commission this morning approved a ban of the use of anabolic steroids in racehorses.

The restrictions adopted by the commission today follow the recommendations of the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium.

The ban covers four anabolic steroids, including stanozolol, which has been front and centre in the steroid talk this year.

The ban was approved on an emergency basis so it can be applied by January 1, 2009. A panel of state lawmakers now must give final approval on the ban.

"These particular compounds have gone unchecked for a number of years," the Associated Press quoted Michael Hopkins, executive director of the commission, as saying. "The control of them is very good for the industry."

According to the Associated Press, Hopkins has said that the commission has not yet decided on penalties for trainers caught violating the ban, but will do so before it takes effect.

To read the Associated Press article in its entirety, click here.

(With files from the Associated Press)

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