The Nevada State Athletic Commission will consider removing cannabis from its banned substances list during a meeting on Friday, according to an MMA News report, citing an agenda for the meeting posted on the NSAC website.
The item is listed under the “New Business” section of the document, indicating there will be “discussion… to amend Nevada Administrative Code…to include… the possible exclusion of cannabinoids from the list of Prohibited Substances and Methods pursuant to passage of Nevada Ballot Initiative Question 2.”
The agenda called for public comment regarding all of the proposals to be discussed at the meeting.
According to the MMA News report, the NSAC’s suspension guidelines order an 18-month suspension for first-time violations for non-performance enhancing substances. In 2013, the body raised its allowable limit of THC from 50 nanograms-per-milliliter to 150 ng/ml.
Ultimate Fighting Championship competitor Nick Diaz had a 5 year suspension for testing positive for cannabis reduced to 18 months last January. It was the third time he had tested positive for cannabinoids, according to a Fox Sports report.
Cannabinoids would remain outlawed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, who provide the drug testing guidelines to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, who administer the drug tests for the UFC. However, mixed martial arts fighters in smaller promotions would likely be protected if the NSAC adopts the rule change.