Nevada Athletic Commission Raises Cannabis Threshold to Equal New WADA Limit
The Nevada Athletic Commission has raised its cannabis testing threshold by 300 percent.
Sherdog.com recently verified with NAC Executive Director Keith Keizer that the regulatory body increased its cannabis testing limit from 50 ng/mL to 150 ng/mL effective Sept. 4.
The change comes roughly four months after the World Anti-Doping Agency raised its threshold from 15 ng/mL to 150 ng/mL. According to WADA’s official statement on the decision this past May, the limit increase will significantly reduce the chances of an athlete testing positive for out-of-competition use.
In mixed martial arts, marijuana testing has become a hot topic. Several notable fighters have been flagged for cannabis use, including former Strikeforce welterweight champion and UFC title contender Nick Diaz. A medical marijuana patient in his home state of California, Diaz has twice tested positive for the drug in Nevada. Additionally, competitors like Dave Herman, Matt Riddle and Robbie Peralta have been reprimanded for marijuana use.
In May, lightweight Pat Healy’s positive marijuana test after UFC 159 cost him big, as the Strikeforce import saw $130,000 in post-fight bonus money rescinded after he submitted Jim Miller. The result was also changed to a no-contest, and Healy was suspended for 90 days by the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board.
