Nick Diaz is one of the most polarizing figures in combat sports, the proudest man from the Stockton California “209” area code is willing to break every rule in the book but this time he broke the wrong rule.
For the second time in his career the former Strikeforce welterweight champ tested positive for marijuana use following his unsuccessful bid to win the interim UFC welterweight title against Carlos Condit.
I put my opinion on marijuana and whether or not it’s a performance enhancing drug in an article on MMASucka.com that can be found here but as I stated, I am not an authority on the subject so I have turned to the rest of the media.
I contacted numerous media sources from across the web to participate in ‘the weigh-in’ where I ask a simple question and people give their thoughts and opinions on the matter at hand so here goes.
I think the question is not whether it is performance-enhancing, but performance-altering or even performance-detriment. Imagine a fighter having really high THC levels, his reaction time being down and then he gets knocked out badly, causing him to suffer permanent damage. It’s a measure of precaution, that’s why marijuana is not allowed in combat sports.
– Tim Leidecker, contributing writer and European correspondent at Sherdog.com
It’s probably fair to say marijuana is not a sport-enhancing drug. However, it is mind and body altering, and while it may have a much more subtle effect on a fighter than something like a steroid, it can still be used to ones benefit. Things like cutting weight and fight nerves are much easier for a long term user – also, doctors have suggested it raises the pain threshold, which I would also agree with. I personally think it has a more negative effect on an athlete than positive, but it is well documented that the Nevada Commission has found it illegal, so if you want to fight, you don’t use it – no different than any other drug on their list.
– Jarrah Loh, Editor in chief of Inside MMA Magazine & Author of Ultimate: Complete Guide to MMA
If caffeine is ruled a performance enhancing drug, then we should expect the same illogical ruling for an illegal substance such as marijuana. Marijuana doesn’t enhance your performance; it inhibits your performance by relaxing your muscles and slows down things in front of you.
– Andrew Gladstone, contributing writer at MMAWeekly.com
As someone who doesn’t use marijuana on a regular basis, it’s hard for me to say for sure. It’s certainly wouldn’t enhance a fighter’s strength or speed, but it could potentially help a fighter with concentration. This in its own sense could be a form of enhancement.
The argument over whether or not marijuana is a PED is irrelevant in my eyes. Nick Diaz ingested a banned substance which he knew was illegal and was subsequently suspended for it. He knew the risks, with or without doctor’s prescription. That sounds vicious, but it’s the facts. I don’t know whether or not marijuana should be banned, but right now it is and Diaz knows that.
– Shawn Smith, MMAHQ Reporter, The Fight Network & Cage Potato Contributor.
I think that it’s ridiculous that marijuana is illegal in any way, shape or form while booze and nicotine are openly accepted in society. And I think it’s even more ridiculous that THC could be considered a performance enhancer. However, I can understand how a commission might outlaw soporific agents like THC because, if anything, THC is a performance detractor that could possibly cause a fighter using them to get seriously hurt. I believe that the commission is doing the right thing for the wrong reasons–they think that they’re protecting the opponents of possible THC users while they’re actually protecting the potential users themselves.
– Paul Lazenby, Former professional fighter, writer for paullazenby.com
The question is; is marijuana (weed) a Performance Enhancing Drug? The answer to me is an obvious no, but the question itself is not necessarily the right one that should be asked with regards to Nick Diaz. Weed is illegal, and without getting into the politics or moralities of the debate, the fact remains that marijuana is tested and prohibited by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, and as such, Diaz should have simply known better. He had a professional responsibility not to smoke weed, and whether we agree or disagree with the reasoning behind the test, the onus is simple—don’t do it.
What I’d like to see from Diaz in an appeal however, is for him to claim that he was in fact the victim of “second-hand” smoke. It did, after all, work for Olympic snowboarding gold medalist, Ross Rebagliati. Go Canada!
– James Ryan, senior writer at MrJameRryan.com & Author of Desolate Warrior: The Inspirational Story of Will Ribeiro
Marijuana is not a performance enhancing drug. The NSAC commission executive director Keith Kizer was asked by the LA times in 2009 why it was on the banned substance list and he said “The drug is banned because of the damage it does to the person taking it. It could make you lethargic, slow your reflexes, and those are dangerous things in a combat sport.”
People can argue all they want about that topic. But the real issue is that Nick Diaz knows it’s banned and being caught could put the UFC in an uncomfortable position. Weed is not what holds him back, it’s his lack of discipline outside of training/fighting that does.
I’ve been a huge Diaz fan since he fought Robbie Lawler back in 2004. But I don’t think we will see him fight in the UFC again. possibly not ever in MMA.
– Jay Russell, founder of VendettaFighter.com
I’m sure there are many different opinions about marijuana use and how it affects ones performance in an athletic endeavor. In my experience, smoking pot does not make you impervious to pain. If anything, it slows your reflexes and leaves you susceptible to attacks. I do know that it can open your mind and help with creativity and flow but that is about it.
If you are not using a vaporizer and are ingesting the smoke, that too should go against any basic health principles we’ve learned throughout our lives. Even if you are using a volcano to get your fix, your mind will be clouded and confused, making it more difficult to solve problems inside the cage.
– John Ramdeen, contributing writer & on-screen personality at The Fight Network
This is a good issue to explore, and a question that does need to be asked. But most “evidence” on this subject comes down to anecdotal evidence about guys who once smoked and then did jiu jitsu, which is not the kind of helpful analysis an athletic commission needs in order to determine a drug’s impact on a fighter. So I figured I would turn to science for the answer. The trouble is, that’s easier said than done.
Marijuana is a tricky drug. It impacts people in a lot of different ways depending on the person, the dosage, the make-up of that particular strand… As a result, there is a lot of conflicting information and a variety of side effects. These range from those that would not impact a fighter (increased appetite), to things that would negatively impact him (slowed reaction time), to things that would benefit (heightened awareness, relaxation). So it’s tough to say.
What we can say is this – marijuana does chemically impact the brain, artificially altering the user’s mind and body. Some of those possible alterations include a greater ability to relax both your mind and your muscles, as well as increased focus. Hopefully we can all agree that in MMA, increased focus and less anxiety can benefit you. So using marijuana has the potential to impact you in a way that makes you a better fighter. Based on that, I call it a PED until science can show otherwise.
– Fraser Coffen, contributing writer at BloodElbow.com
I don’t think that marijuana is a performance enhancer at all. Some of the short term effects of marijuana are difficulty concentrating, impaired motor skills, slow reflexes and reduced concentration.
Now with these skills being affected how can a fighter be getting an edge over his opponent? If anything he is giving his opponent the edge.
– Andrew P, senior writer at FightBulletin.net
I don’t think that marijuana is a performance enhancer at all. Some of the short term effects of marijuana are difficulty concentrating, impaired motor skills, slow reflexes and reduced concentration.
Now with these skills being affected how can a fighter be getting an edge over his opponent? If anything he is giving his opponent the edge.
– Josh Mercer, contributing writer at MMAMatrix.com
Is marijuana a performance enhancer? I wouldn’t call it so much an enhancer, but it can be a detractor if you do enough of it. It does slow down reaction time, coordination, etc. So if anything, it could technically put the person using it in more harm in a fight than actually ‘enhancing’ their abilities in some way. Still, I don’t think it should be illegal, but as long as it is, fighters have to abide by the athletic commission rules. Period.’
– Damon Martin, lead-reporter at MMAWeekly.com
In my mind there are two separate issues involved with the testing of marijuana. Is it a PED? Strictly speaking, I don’t think it is performance-enhancing. Sure, there might be a slight analgesic effect, and perhaps decreased anxiety, but to get those benefits a fighter is trading in (at the very least) their reaction speed – something critical in the cage.
Should fighters be tested for marijuana? I think so. Even though I consider it to be a net performance-decreasing substance, there is the issue of fighter safety in the cage – could a fighter be seriously injured as a result of marijuana use?
Those two issues aside, the simple fact remains that fightersknow NSAC tests for marijuana metabolites, and as a professional fighter Nick Diaz (or his team) should have been on top of it.
– Nathan Gielis, co-host & producer of This Week in MMA Radio
I stand pretty firm on the usage of illegal substances, my stance is against them. However I don’t look at marijuana as a substance that could help one in the fight game. I actually think marijuana would hinder someone in a fight by slowing reflexes, allowing more damage to be taken without knowing it. I understand that marijuana is illegal (most cases) but I also believe that this should not cause a fighter to have a fight overturned or cause any kind of suspension longer than 6 mos.
I know this backlash primarily falls on the back Nick Diaz as of now, but wait hold on..he’s not the only one who smokes, and most definitely not the only fighter. Does Nick deserve a suspension yes, but any more than 1 year is far too long and very excessive. I think this is the way it should be for all fighters who get popped for THC. Civilians get slaps on the wrist for “weed” now a days, why not fighters?
– Jesse Thomas, contributing writer and radio-host at MarqueeMMA.com
What’s your take on the issue? Weigh-in below and tell us what you think.
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no it is not a PED
most of these people obviously are uneducated on the subject.
Where did they go wrong? Drop some knowledge on us then.