Cannabidiol (CBD) will be legal for UFC fights beginning in 2018 announced by WADA the world anti-doping agency. Cannabidiol is also known as CBD cannabinoid contained in cannabis. Currently, all CBD is prohibited in competition under 2017 WADA list. So that means for UFC fighters any substance must not be detectable in your sample collection from noon in a day until your post-fight test.
CBD will be no longer available on the WADA prohibited list as of January 1, 2018. That means USADA will no longer be looking for evidence of CBD use or punishing athletes found to be using CBD (Cannabidiol), either in or out of the competition.
Weed is still on the banned list which contains THC substance. Cannabidiol, unlike fellow cannabinoid THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), does not have psychoactive properties. Instead, it is used mostly used for the medical purpose, to treat pain, anxiety, and inflammation. But THC remains on the WADA prohibited list in competition.
UFC fighter Nate Diaz is an outspoken cannabis defender. CBD (Cannabidiol) was brought to limelight for MMA fans by Nate Diaz in 2016. After the loss of the main event at UFC 202 from Conor McGregor by majority decision, Diaz was seen using a vape pen at a post-fight press conference. Someone asked about it, Nate Diaz said he was vaping CBD (Cannabidiol).
“It’s CBD,” Diaz said. “It helps with the healing process and inflammation, stuff like that. So you want to get these for before and after the fights, training. It’ll make your life a better place.”
USADA gave a public warning to Nate Diaz about the use of CBD, UFC the anti-doping partner as he accepted the use of CBD in-competition. Starting this year, the UFC and USADA made some amendments in the UFC’s anti-doping policy to make it so the in-competition window closes after the post-fight drug test is taken.
As per BloodyElbow USADA releases a statement:
USADA’s role is to help educate athletes and coaches about WADA’s Prohibited List. It’s imperative that each athlete understands the ramifications of changes to the List and how testing affects an athlete. In our role as administrator of the UFC’s Anti-Doping Policy, we will continue to educate athletes on changes to the List, through our resources that we provide to UFC athletes, trainers and management.
The UFC’s Anti-Doping Policy is modeled on the World Anti-Doping Code, which represents the consensus of a broad spectrum of stakeholders around the world as to what is necessary to protect and ensure fair sport.
Changes to the prohibited list will be effective starting January 1, 2018.”
