In a rare instance of common sense prevailing amongst the governing bodies in sport, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (which regulates boxing & MMA matches in the state) voted Wednesday to no longer discipline fighters for cannabis use. While the decision will be in effect moving forward, officials noted that it would not be retroactive to any athletes currently facing penalties from the commission for prior infractions.
With Las Vegas being the de-facto fight capital of North America, the NSAC is largely viewed as one of the most powerful state commissions in the US. A perception the NSAC has largely enjoyed leveraging in the past when it came to sanctions.
The NSAC has had an inconsistent track record of enforcing marijuana use over the years. Fighters such as Nick Diaz in the UFC repeatedly tested positive for THC, leading to a 5 year suspension for Nick (which was later reduced on appeal). The UFC meanwhile removed penalties for marijuana use earlier this year, though it retains the right to discipline athletes if they were visibly under the influence on fight nights.
While other states still test fighters for marijuana, their penalties generally pale in comparison to the NSAC sanctions of the past. Members of the commission have attempted to spin the new policies as progressive, and showing leadership on the matter. However, one must bear in mind that Marijuana has been legal in Nevada since January 1st 2017, making the change welcome news, albeit 4 years later than many athletes would have liked.
The policy reversal comes on the heels of the Sha’Carri Richardson scandal, which saw the sprinter denied a spot on the US Olympic team due to testing positive for THC after her 100m final at the US trials.
Nevada joins the Florida State Boxing Commission as the first significant regulatory bodies in the US to stop penalizing athletes for recreational or medicinal marijuana use.