Cannabis as a supplement for athletes?

The stereotypes about smokers Cannabis users are many: slackers with dilated pupils, slouching on a sofa. But more and more athletes are using cannabis to enhance their performance in a variety of ways.

Avery Collins, super marathon runner from Colorado, has discovered that cannabis is a perfect complement to his activity. He describes his first cannabic experience before a race: «it was incredible, it helped me stay focused on the moment without paying attention to what was going on around me. He also eats space-food before and during his training runs. «For me, the spiritual balance is perfect, it's pure happiness.

Read more: This ultra-marathoner runs to combat cannabis-related stereotypes

Avery readily admits that he has never taken of cannabis before a competition, as marijuana is considered a performance-enhancing drug. Does cannabis really enhance sporting performance?

UFC commentator, Joe Rogan explains: »I think weed is a doping product. If it wasn't, most jujitsu practitioners wouldn't use it. A lot of Brazilians use cannabis before training, they don't do it to destroy themselves, on the contrary it helps them.»

Joe Rogan, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt and regular cannabis user, says cannabis should be allowed, especially in MMA. He says: «If taking testosterone is legal, it's easy to argue that cannabis should be legal under prescription. They're both dopanst products, but I think testosterone really improves performance.» . According to Joe Rogan, more UFC fighters smoke than do not.

Fallen athletes regularly miss their anti-doping tests with cannabis detection: boxer Julio César Chavez was fined a million dollars and sentenced to 9 months in prison. Same penalty for Nick Diaz, an MMA fighter who, even with a California medical license, was accused of doping.

Cannabis use during training is becoming increasingly common among athletes, much to the chagrin of anti-doping commissions who may soon be changing their list of banned products, as already requested by some NBA and NFL athletes.

Théo Caillart