The World Anti-Doping Agency removes cannabidiol (CBD) from the list of banned substances

We discussed this subject in particular in August 2016. At the end of his second fight against Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz was quietly vaping an electronic cigarette during his post-match press conference.

Asked by a journalist what he was vaping, Diaz replied: «It's CBD. It helps me heal, for inflammation and stuff like that. You use it before or after a fight, in training, to make life easier».

As the use of cannabinoids is totally forbidden in UFC, and more widely in sport, Nate Diaz got away with a public warning from the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for admitting to smoking cannabidiol (CBD). Had he tested positive before the match, he could have been suspended.

Likewise, many NBA and NFL are clamoring to be able to «at least» use CBD in place of conventional opiate drugs.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has announced that it has updated its list of prohibited substances, and CBD has been removed from the list. As Diaz explained in 2016, cannabidiol is used by sportswomen for its anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant properties, without having the psychoactivity of THC.

«Cannabidiol is no longer prohibited,» reads a statement on the official document from WADA. «Synthetic cannabidiol is not a cannabimimetic; however cannabidiol extracted from Cannabis plants may also contain varying concentrations of THC, which remains a prohibited substance.».

Sports enthusiasts can therefore use CBD, although they should be careful about the THC present in plant extracts.

The changes are valid from January 1, 2018. We are waiting to hear from the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) whether they will be valid for all sports and in all competitions. The UFC has already indicated that it will follow the WADA recommendations.