September 17, 2015

Ronda Rousey About NSAC: “There’s No Reason For Them To Be Testing For Weed”

September 17, 2015
ronda rousey marijuana

ronda rousey marijuanaRecently, mixed martial arts fighter Nick Diaz was suspended for five years by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for testing positive for marijuana. The outcry against such a harsh penalty was swift from the cannabis community, and from UFC fans everywhere. People were quick to point out that when someone fails a test for steroids, they are given a one year suspension. So why such a harsh sentence for Nick Diaz? Mixed martial arts champion and superstar Ronda Rousey had some very candid words for the Nevada State Athletic Commission over Nick Diaz’s suspension. Per MSN:

“I’m sorry, I know no one asked me anything but I have to say something,” Rousey said. “It’s so not right for (Diaz) to be suspended five years for marijuana. I’m against them testing for any weed at all. It’s not a performance-enhancing drug. It has nothing to do with athletic competition, and it’s only tested for political reasons so they say, ‘Oh, it’s only for your safety so you’re not hurting yourself when you’re out there.’ So why don’t they test for all the other things that could possibly hurt us that we could be under the influence of while we’re out there?

“There’s no reason for them to be testing for weed. In athletics, the beautiful thing about it is it separates everything from politics. It shouldn’t be involved at all.”

Rousey expressed frustration in the fact Diaz’s UFC 183 opponent Silva, who failed multiple drug tests around the event for anabolic steroids, was only handed a one-year suspension for his violation. Diaz’s repeat offender status played a role in the outcome of his case, but regardless of that, Rousey said the difference in punishments shows an obvious problem.

Too many athletes have had their careers limited by marijuana related suspensions. In the case of Nick Diaz, most people consider his career to be ended. No one should ever be prevented from working because of a failed marijuana test, especially when zero harmful intoxication on the job was ever shown. To add insult to injury, it’s my understanding that one of the members of the Commission that voted to suspend Nick Diaz owns a medical marijuana dispensary license in Nevada. That’s ridiculous.

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