On Tuesday, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) decided to remove cannabis as a restricted compound from the state’s Prohibited List.
This means that, “The possession, use or consumption of cannabis or cannabis products will not be deemed an anti-doping violation.”
This comes after many years of it being considered a doping violation. Smaller name UFC fighters like Trevin Jones have had wins overturned to a no-contest, essentially meaning the bout record officially is null, for having marijuana detected in their bloodstream.
However, the most notable and controversial penalty for cannabis use in the past came in 2015, when fan favorite Nick Diaz was suspended for five years and fined $165,000 for using marijuana. At the time the commission noted they were suspending the elder Diaz brother for “not just marijuana, but disregard.”
At the time this infuriated the MMA fanbase, who saw smoking a bit of marijuana as a terrible reason to take the sport away from one of the most popular fighters in the world for his last good fighting years. Diaz was 32 at the time, coming off of a fight with Anderson Silva and was at the height of his popularity.
Back in 2015 Nick had a hearing where NSAC drew their line about disregard from, as the irreverent Diaz brother showed them no respect. Many fans at the time saw this as a power trip, and needless. Nick would not compete for six years after that.
Regardless, Nick Diaz is back fighting, though many wish the 41-year-old would stay away from the cage due to his age and health, and now cannabis is completely legal to smoke if a fighter is competing in MMA in Nevada. Nick Diaz certainly is not shy about the fact that he smokes.
Most UFC events currently take place in Las Vegas, including Nick Diaz’s upcoming fight at UFC 310 with Vicente Luque, so this rule change comes into effect at the right time.
Other than just the Diaz brothers, many fighters are open about using marijuana to treat the aches and pains which come with their chosen profession, although full research into the drug’s effect on traumatic brain injuries has not been conducted.
Although fans who view the now-legal drug as a non-performance enhancer have every right to be bitter about the past, it is better than Nevada fixed their policy late, rather than never.
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