Nevada’s Sports Officials Are Taking Steps To Stop Punishing Fighters For Using Marijuana!
Sports authorities in Nevada are thinking about changing their regulations to legally shield athletes from punishment for using or having marijuana in accordance with state law.
In accordance with an executive order from the governor, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the rules, including new language on cannabis policy, on April 24. The purpose of the hearing is to gather input.
Two years ago, the commission that oversees state-sanctioned unarmed combat sports unanimously decided to stop punishing professional fighters who tested positive for marijuana. It appears that the organization is seeking to formalize that policy by adding specific language to its code.
While the regulations would still state that the commission adopts the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list of prohibited substances for athletes, which still includes marijuana as of last year’s scientific review by the international governing body, they are looking to add language to make an exception for cannabis for fighters in the state.
According to the proposed amendment, which was first reported by Bloody Elbow, “The Commission does not classify cannabis or cannabis derived products as prohibited or banned substances under its program of drug testing and anti-doping if such substances are included in one or more of the publications listed in subsection 1 provided such substances are legal for use or consumption under the laws of the State of Nevada.”
The possession, use, or consumption of cannabis or products derived from cannabis is not considered to be an anti-doping violation under this Chapter, regardless of the laws of the jurisdiction where such possession, use, or consumption occurs, provided that such possession, use, or consumption is legal under the laws of the State of Nevada. This new section is also being considered by regulators for addition to the code.
That appears to imply that athletes who use marijuana in any state, regardless of the cannabis laws in that state, would not be punished so long as their behavior complies with Nevada’s legalization policy.
The day following the open hearing, the commission will also convene. It’s unclear if members will vote to approve the revisions or perhaps work to complete a report that all state agencies must deliver to Governor Joe Lombardo (R) by May 1 in accordance with his executive order. That report must contain suggestions for changes that will simplify and explain the policy.
In light of the state-level legalization trend, professional athletics organizations at various levels have been reviewing and revising their cannabis rules recently.
For instance, the National Basketball Association (NBA) reportedly intends to enable players to promote and invest in the cannabis sector in addition to removing cannabis from its list of prohibited narcotics.
The Chicago Cubs just become the first Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise to formally partner with a CBD business, after the league-wide agreement between the national organization and a well-known CBD brand last year.
Compared to other professional sports leagues, MLB has stood out as being more receptive to the shifting marijuana regulatory landscape. For instance, it was made clear in a document from 2020 that although players cannot be personally sponsored by marijuana businesses or hold assets in the sector, they will not be penalized if they use cannabis while not at work.
In 2021, the UFC declared that it would stop disciplining competitors who tested positive for marijuana.
Separately, under guidelines that were suggested by a significant committee last year, student athletes who are members of the NCAA would no longer instantly lose their eligibility to compete following a positive marijuana test.
As part of a collective bargaining agreement, the National Football League’s (NFL) drug testing protocol already underwent a discernible shift in 2020.
