Chemical ingredient in marijuana and 4 other drugs found in Tiger Woods’ system

Tiger Woods had five drugs in his system when he was arrested in
May on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to a
report Monday. At the time, Woods told authorities that he was
taking Vicodin and Xanax, but per ESPN, a toxicology report from
the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office indicated the additional
presences of Ambien, Dilaudid and THC, the chemical responsible for
marijuana’s psychoactive effects.

As noted by ESPN, medical marijuana is legal in Florida, where
Woods was arrested near his home, but it is unclear whether he has
a prescription for it. Shortly after his arrest, he said in a
statement, “What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed
medications. I didn’t realize the mix of medications had affected
me so strongly.”

Woods was taken into custody after falling asleep at the wheel
of his 2015 Mercedes and veering partly off a road, and officers
noted in their report that he was “extremely slow to answer
questions, had slurred and mumbled speech, and was slow to provide”
documents such as his license and registration. The 14-time major
winner appeared unsteady and disoriented in dash-cam footage
released by authorities.

According to the report obtained by ESPN, the substances found
in Wood’s system following his May arrest were: hydrocodone, the
generic form of a painkiller known as Vicodin; hydromorphone, a
painkiller known as Dilaudid; alprazolam, a mood and sleep drug
known as Xanax; zolpidem, a sleep drug known as Ambien; and delta-9
carboxy THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

Last week, Woods entered a DUI diversion program as part of a
plea agreement resulting from his arrest. According to prosecutors,
the superstar golfer will be placed under 12 months’ probation,
during which he cannot drink alcohol or take drugs, and he will be
required to plead guilty to reckless driving and complete DUI
education.

“As I previously said, I received professional help to manage my
medications,” Woods said Monday in a statement. “Recently, I had
been trying on my own to treat my back pain and a sleep disorder,
including insomnia, but I realize now it was a mistake to do this
without medical assistance.

“I am continuing to work with my doctors, and they feel I’ve
made significant progress. I remain grateful for the amazing
support that I continue to receive and for the family and friends
that are assisting me.”

The 41-year-old Woods underwent back surgery in April, the
fourth such procedure of his career and a major factor in his
inability to compete regularly in recent years. A winner of 79
official PGA Tour events, second only to Sam Snead, Woods does not
have a win since 2013, and he has not triumphed in a major since
the 2008 U.S. Open.

This year, Woods hasn’t played in an event since withdrawing
from the Dubai Desert Classic after the first round in February.
Shortly before his arrest, he wrote on his website, “I had nerve
pain with anything I did and was at the end of my rope. . . . I
want to say unequivocally, I want to play professional golf
again.”

Tiger Woods had five drugs in his system when he was arrested in
May on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to a
report Monday. At the time, Woods told authorities that he was
taking Vicodin and Xanax, but per ESPN, a toxicology report from
the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office indicated the additional
presences of Ambien, Dilaudid and THC, the chemical responsible for
marijuana’s psychoactive effects.

As noted by ESPN, medical marijuana is legal in Florida, where
Woods was arrested near his home, but it is unclear whether he has
a prescription for it. Shortly after his arrest, he said in a
statement, “What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed
medications. I didn’t realize the mix of medications had affected
me so strongly.”

Woods was taken into custody after falling asleep at the wheel
of his 2015 Mercedes and veering partly off a road, and officers
noted in their report that he was “extremely slow to answer
questions, had slurred and mumbled speech, and was slow to provide”
documents such as his license and registration. The 14-time major
winner appeared unsteady and disoriented in dash-cam footage
released by authorities.

According to the report obtained by ESPN, the substances found
in Wood’s system following his May arrest were: hydrocodone, the
generic form of a painkiller known as Vicodin; hydromorphone, a
painkiller known as Dilaudid; alprazolam, a mood and sleep drug
known as Xanax; zolpidem, a sleep drug known as Ambien; and delta-9
carboxy THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

Last week, Woods entered a DUI diversion program as part of a
plea agreement resulting from his arrest. According to prosecutors,
the superstar golfer will be placed under 12 months’ probation,
during which he cannot drink alcohol or take drugs, and he will be
required to plead guilty to reckless driving and complete DUI
education.

“As I previously said, I received professional help to manage my
medications,” Woods said Monday in a statement. “Recently, I had
been trying on my own to treat my back pain and a sleep disorder,
including insomnia, but I realize now it was a mistake to do this
without medical assistance.

“I am continuing to work with my doctors, and they feel I’ve
made significant progress. I remain grateful for the amazing
support that I continue to receive and for the family and friends
that are assisting me.”

The 41-year-old Woods underwent back surgery in April, the
fourth such procedure of his career and a major factor in his
inability to compete regularly in recent years. A winner of 79
official PGA Tour events, second only to Sam Snead, Woods does not
have a win since 2013, and he has not triumphed in a major since
the 2008 U.S. Open.

This year, Woods hasn’t played in an event since withdrawing
from the Dubai Desert Classic after the first round in February.
Shortly before his arrest, he wrote on his website, “I had nerve
pain with anything I did and was at the end of my rope. . . . I
want to say unequivocally, I want to play professional golf
again.”