Moving forward, MMA fighters competing in Florida no longer have to worry about the state’s zero tolerance policy on cannabinoids.
The Florida State Athletic Commission today voted unanimously to adopt the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standard on the compounds, which drastically raises the threshold for an adverse finding.
Unfortunately for Titan FC flyweight champ Juan Puerta (16-6), the new standard is not liberal enough to clear him of a positive test for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the psychoactive component in marijuana – that pulled him from a title defense this past month.
A person with knowledge of his case, who asked to remain anonymous because the information isn’t public, told MMA Junkie that Puerta’s “B” sample from the positive test came back well over the cutoff for a violation. He now faces a six-month suspension, though he could receive a reduction if he admits fault.
Under the WADA standard, an athlete can have up to 150 ng/mL of cannabinoids during the in-competition period before a test is flagged. Cannabinoids are allowed out-of-competition. Previously, the Florida commission merely tested for presence of cannabinoids, and any level triggered administrative discipline.
The good news for Puerta, who recently detailed the fallout of the situation in an interview with MMA Junkie, is that his potential suspension is within a window offered by Titan FC COO Lex McMahon, who said he’s unlikely to strip the champ unless he’s out longer than six months. McMahon wasn’t immediately available for comment on Florida’s recent ruling.
During a commission meeting held via teleconference, several commissioners championed the adoption of international standards as a way to remain competitive among commissions that regulate world-class events such as the UFC. They noted the adoption of the WADA standard by the highly respected Nevada and California commissions.
“We want to be with the big boys,” one commissioner said.
Minor opposition was raised about the 150 ng/mL threshold; one commissioner noted the federal standard of 50 ng/mL for an adverse finding. He disputed the idea that WADA’s cutoff only protects “passive” users from positive tests, noting a single joint smoked by an average user resulted in 90 ng/mL of tetrahydrocannabinol in the body.
After Puerta’s positive test, the industry-leader warned its fighters about marijuana with UFC on ESPN 3 set for April 27 in Sunrise, Fla. The Florida commission also received a call from UFC VP of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner, who reportedly received assurances that the policy on pot would be changed. UFC VP of Athlete Health and Performance Jeff Novitzky praised the Florida commission for its proactivity on the issue.
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