The Ultimate Fighting Championship announced Thursday that marijuana will be removed from the newly revised list of banned substances for athletes. This is an extension of a previous reform.
UFC claims to be modeling its list on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA), which has controversially kept cannabis as a prohibited substance. However, it is amending “based upon historical findings” (i.e. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has controversially maintained cannabis as a banned substance. UFC is making changes “based on historical findings” (i.e.
UFC’s policy change in 2021 had already protected professional fighters from facing penalties for testing positive for THC. But now, the drug is being removed completely.
In a Thursday press release, UFC Chief Executive Officer Hunter Campbell stated that the goal of the Anti-Doping Policy was to be the most effective and progressive anti-doping policy in professional sports.
He said: “UFC is very proud of our progress with the anti-doping programs over the last eight years. We will continue to have an independent administered drug testing program, which ensures that all UFC athletes compete under fair and equitable circumstances.” With this new version of the program UFC has raised the bar once again for health and safety within combat sports.
.@UFC announces details of new anti-doping program :https://t.co/LiIP8sgcfXhttps://t.co/LiIP8sgcfX
UFC News December 29th, 2023
This policy change, which will also include entering into a partner agency with Drug Free Sport International DFSI (which collects samples and ships them), takes effect on Sunday December 31.
Jeff Novitzky said that the updated antidoping program was the result of “years of input, trial and error, and UFC athletes and third parties who assisted UFC with operating the program.”
He said: “The antidoping policy will continue to change and adapt as long as clear science is in support of changes that further protect UFC competitors who compete in UFC.”
Several sports organizations have amended their policies on marijuana testing for athletes in response to the legalization of marijuana by states.
In September, for example, the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) divisional governing body recommended formally that cannabis be removed from the list of prohibited substances for college athletes.
The NBA and its players’ union signed a collective agreement over the summer that removed marijuana from the league’s list of banned substances. It also lays down rules allowing the players to promote and invest in cannabis brands, with certain exceptions.
The Nevada sports regulators decided earlier this year that they would submit a regulatory amendment proposal to the Governor to protect athletes against being punished for using or possessing cannabis according to state law.
As part of the collective bargaining agreement, the National Football League (NFL’s) policy on drug testing changed demonstrably by 2020.
In June, the NFL and its Players Union announced that they will jointly award another round of funding for independent research into the therapeutic benefits CBD as an alternative pain treatment to opioids.
The New York Media Softball League, which includes teams from The Wall Street Journal High Times and BuzzFeed in its ranks, announced in July that a sponsoring deal would be launched with a Kentucky CBD company.
The collaboration idea was influenced by Major League Baseball’s (MLB) moves and by certain teams such as the Kansas City Royals, and Chicago Cubs who have recently partnered up with CBD businesses.
MLB announced last year its league-wide collaboration with a popular CBD product . Charlotte’s Web Holdings signed a deal to become “Official Cbd of MLB” with the league.
The World Anti-Doping Agency has been criticized for its continued cannabis ban, despite the fact that many advocates welcome these changes. In an August opinion piece, members of a panel at the World Anti-Doping Agency said that athletes who use marijuana violate the “spirit” of sport and are therefore unfit to be role models.
After the U.S. Sha’Carri Richison, a runner from the United States, was banned from competing in Olympic events in 2021 due to a positive THC result.
After the suspension, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said that international marijuana rules “must be changed,” both the White House and Joe Biden himself indicated it was time to implement new policies. Congress lawmakers amplify that message.
Nevada Marijuana possession limit more than doubles under new law taking effect Monday
Martin Alonso is the photographer of this photo.
The post UFC Removes Marijuana from Banned Substances for Professional Fighters first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
