In 2021, the Nevada State Athletic Commission declared cannabis was not a performance-enhancing drug, officially legalizing it for MMA athletes.  On Thursday, December 28, 2023, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) announced the removal of cannabis from the banned substance list effective December 31st, 2023.

In past years, the strict rules and policies had sidelined many Pro-MMA athlete careers, forcing them to leverage pharmaceuticals, opioids and painkillers to deal with the demanding seasons. Over the past decade, athletes have advocated for clean alternatives to help cope with recovery and relief, citing opioids/painkillers as addictive blanket solutions for their injuries.

With sporting leagues adopting new policies to provide for cannabis consumption, the UFC has revised its approach to natural healing modalities.  Following the WADA’s In and Out of competition program, the UFC will apply similar guidelines with modifications based on historical findings.  The UFC’s Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell believes this will “raise the bar” for health and safety in combat sports.

“UFC’s goal for the Anti-Doping Policy is to be the best, most effective, and most progressive anti-doping program in all of professional sports…”  adding “With this new iteration of the program, UFC has once again raised the bar for health and safety in combat sports.”

-Hunter Campbell, UFC Chief Business Officer / Press Release

Jeff Novitzky, UFC’s Senior Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging that the changes would not be possible without athletes and medical professionals pushing the the conversation forward.

This latest UFC Anti-Doping Program is the result of our continued efforts to protect the athletes who compete in the Octagon…” adding “His new program is the result of years of input and trial and error taken by UFC, our athletes, and third parties who have assisted UFC in operating the program.  The anti-doping policy is a living and breathing document that will continue to evolve and adapt when clear science supports changes that can further protect UFC athletes who compete in UFC.”

–Jeff Novitzky, UFC’s Senior Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance

Retired UFC/MMA Icon, World Champion and Cannabis/Psychedelic Advocate, Ian McCall has used his platform to pave the path for athletes and patients outside of the octagon. With the recent shift in stance, Ian believes it’s a huge step forward for athletes globally;

“The UFC has wanted to make this move for a very long time… It’s a huge step in sports and cannabis on multiple levels…”

-Ian McCall, UFC/MMA Legend and World Champion

Professional Sports Leagues Adopting Cannabis

Ultimate Disc

In May 2022, Ultimate Disc made history around the world as the first professional sport to feature a cannabis logo on their team uniforms.  Schwazze; a vertically integrated and multi-state operating cannabis company announced that its Starbuds became the official sponsor for the Colorado Summit Professional Ultimate Disc Team.

MLB

In June 2022, the MLB shifted their stance on cannabis, welcoming CBD sponsorship into professional baseball.  The provisions included that any partnerships are to be certified by the NSF, a global health and safety organization to ensure that products do not contain THC, the psychoactive ingredient found in Cannabis.

NFL

In 2021, the NFL loosened their stance on cannabis consumption during the off-season providing for infused off-seasons.  The new guidelines allow players to consume Delta 9 THC-Carboxylic Acid during the off-season from April 20 to Aug 09.  Pushing for progress off the field, in June 2021, the NFL made headlines by pledging 1 Million dollars to cannabis research and on Feb 1st the NFL officially announced the recipients.  Out of 106 proposals submitted, two teams from the University of San Diego and the University of Regina out of Canada were selected by the NFL and the NFL Players Association’s Joint Pain Management Committee to investigate the effects of cannabinoids on pain management and neuroprotection from concussion in elite football players.

NCAA

In 2022, the NCAA changed its policy to provide for a relaxed approach to cannabis and the amount of THC an athlete can have to trigger a positive test.  To align with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s levels, the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports agreed to allow for the threshold levels of THC, (the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis), to increase from 35 nanograms per millilitre to 150 nanograms per millilitre.  Maintaining the course, in 2023 the NCAA Committee has formally advised each of the three divisional governance bodies to introduce and adopt legislation to remove Cannabis from the banned substance list in all three divisions.

PGA

Finding the green, in 2018, the PGA aligned its policy with the World Anti Doping Agency, removing CBD from its prohibitied list, allowing it to be used by PGA tour players.

NWSL

In 2020, the NWSL, the world’s premier women’s soccer league officially announced provisions for athletes to use cannabinoids like CBD for pain management.

NBA

The NBA agreed to a green-inclusive future in the latest CBA.  Starting the 2023’24 NBA season, the National Basketball Association will not penalize players for cannabis consumption in the new seven-year collective bargaining agreement, removing it entirely from the anti-drug testing program.

Today athletes around the world are using their platforms to advocate for cannabis, education and integration.  Learn about their movements today.