UFC removes cannabis from its list of banned substances

L’Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which governs most MMA fights in the USA, has announced that as of December 31, 2023, cannabis is officially removed from its list of banned substances, aligning itself with other sports leagues in the USA.

In 2021, the UFC had decided that its athletes would no longer be penalized for testing positive for THC. Positive controls for carboxy-THC, a THC metabolite, was no longer considered a violation «unless there is further evidence that an athlete has intentionally used it for performance-enhancing purposes».

According to Hunter Campbell, Chief Business Officer of the UFC, the new policy aims to raise health and safety standards in combat sports, positioning the UFC's anti-doping program as the most effective and progressive in professional sport. Campbell emphasized the commitment to fair competition, affirming the pursuit of an independently administered doping control program for all UFC athletes.

Jeff Novitzky, UFC senior vice president of athlete health and performance, described the policy as a «living, breathing document», highlighting its ongoing evolution based on input from athletes and third-party experts. This dynamic approach reflects a broader trend in American sport, where cannabis policies are undergoing significant transformations.

The National Football League (NFL) has made a significant change in 2021, by modifying its cannabis testing procedures during the off-season and adjusting the threshold for THC testing. The NFL has shifted from punitive measures to a treatment-focused approach, with players exceeding THC limits now undergoing medical intervention and addiction treatment.

Similarly, the National Basketball Association (NBA) has removed cannabis from its list of prohibited substances, The NBA's new collective bargaining agreement allows players to consume cannabis and invest in related businesses under certain conditions. The NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement, which took effect on July 1, 2023, emphasizes the responsible use of cannabis, prohibiting players from being under the influence of the substance during games, practices or team meetings.

Major League Baseball (MLB) also no longer screens for cannabis for its players since 2019.

For its part, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) maintains its ban on THC, This position was criticized when American runner Sha'Carri Richardson was suspended from the Tokyo Olympics following a positive test for cannabis. This stance drew criticism when American runner Sha'Carri Richardson was suspended from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics following a positive test for cannabis. Visit CBD has been removed from the list of doping substances. in 2018.

Many retired athletes have spoken openly about using cannabis to manage pain and aid recovery during their active careers. A recent survey revealed that 93% of participants felt that CBD helped recovery after exercise, while 87% reported the same for THC.

Sports medicine professionals are increasingly positive about cannabis use. A survey revealed that 72% of those surveyed supported the removal of CBD from WADA's list of banned substances in 2018, and 59% advocated the removal of cannabis as a whole. In addition, the majority of those surveyed did not consider CBD (76 %) and THC (66 %) to be performance-enhancing substances.

A study carried out in 2023 also highlighted the potential benefits of regular cannabis consumption to compensate for the impact of repeated head trauma, This is a promising avenue for athletes, including boxers, footballers and soccer players, seeking to mitigate the risk of long-term brain damage.