Nevada Commission Says Nick Diaz Could Have Applied For Exemption To Use Marijuana

Quote :

According to Kizer, though, Diaz had another option: coming to the NSAC weeks before fighting and applying for a therapeutic exemption (TUE) for his marijuana use.

Given that Diaz’ coach and manager, Cesar Gracie, has made a point of saying that Diaz has a legal right to use marijuana in California since a doctor prescribed it to him, one would have expected Diaz to have applied for the exemption with the commission.

But that did not happen Kizer explains, as no one from Diaz’ camp has ever attempted to explain any mitigating circumstances to him about the fighter’s marijuana use or tried to contextualize it to attempt for Nick to granted a therapeutic exemption. “I have no idea what [Diaz’s] marijuana situation is,” Kizer told CagePotato on Thursday. “No one from his camp has ever come to me or the commission and tried to explain it.”

Kizer says that therapeutic exemptions are made when fighters and their doctors can convince the NSAC and its physicians that a prescribed treatment is specifically needed to address a legitimate health issue of the athlete and that the medication does not put the fighter at undue risk as a competitor or give them an unfair advantage over their opponents. Sometimes, as in the case of some antidepressants, the NSAC and its doctors feel that a fighter’s condition is legitimate and that they do require treatment, but alternative medications are needed because the one initially chosen by the fighter and their doctors are deemed not safe for competitors to use by the Nevada commission.

Kizer also points out that each case is looked at individually and that if fighters approach the commission a few weeks before their fights to request a therapeutic exemption, typically that is enough time for the NSAC evaluation process to take place and for his governing body to make a decision on whether or not to grant the fighter the exception.

In the past fighters have applied for exemptions for the use of testosterone replacement therapy and more traditional prescription drugs for psychological issues, but Kizer said that no one during his tenure has ever applied for a therapeutic exemption for prescribed marijuana use. This includes Diaz.

“I’ve never had that – a fighter saying they want to use marijuana for medicinal purposes,” he said.

Although he says that he can imagine certain drugs never being accepted for therapeutic use in Nevada, like the anabolic steroid nandrolone, Kizer stops short of saying that medical marijuana would be one of them.

*Correction made at 1:23 pm ET on 02/17/2011: Mr. Kizer contacted CagePotato.com to clarify that although a fighter can argue that he or she should be granted an exemption for a banned substance and that their fine and suspension be reduced due to mitigating factors that necessitated the use of the prescribed drugs, NSAC will not retroactively grant a TUE for a substance that was not approved prior to the bout in question.

BJPenn.com

Not to beat a dead horse or anything but this kind of shows Nick has no one to blame for this shit but himself...

It also shows that it's stupid for pot to even be a banned substance for mma.

stock wrote:

It also shows that it's stupid for pot to even be a banned substance for mma.

Agree completely.

By the sound of it, they don't view this as big deal, so why the hell is it banned in the first place?

But I still say it wouldn't have mattered; The article says the camp has to "convince" the commission that the drug is needed. I would bet anything in the world that if Diaz's camp went to commission about this, the wouldn't even have considered it for a millisecond.

Who knew Nick had the note 'before' the fight?
Was it known to everyone Nick was exempt?

If it was, its kind of a moot point, the guy has a valid 'note' prescribed from the doc.
Nick should flash the note to NSAC, claim he didn't think it would be a problem
due to the note, then we can move on...

stock wrote:

It also shows that it's stupid for pot to even be a banned substance for mma.

I would say in this case we're both right.

That's why I said "also".

mogal....they said it would have been fine if he presented the script a few weeks ahead of time but they cant do anything retro actively

Not entirely true;

They said if he could prove it was necessary, they would allow it.

We both know Kizer would not cooperate....

^^^ they would allow it but in the case of the condit fight they wont act retroactively

Did Nickdo something specific to incur the wrath of Kizer? Or is it more the fact that he tested positive for this before?

butterknifeninja wrote:

Did Nickdo something specific to incur the wrath of Kizer? Or is it more the fact that he tested positive for this before?

It's more about how Kizer acted/explained his actions after the Gomi fight.

I'm paraphrasing, but it was basicly;

"I think Diaz was intoxicated on marijuana and could not feel pain, so that's why I chose to overturn the fight to a NC, fine him, and suspend him."

He definitely said Diaz could not feel pain (I.E. had an unfair advantage by using pot), and based his judgement on that, so I can only assume that he still feels the same way about Diaz/marijuana in general and will continue to assume that weed is an unfait advantage-type situation....which is a ridiculous and uninformed stance to take.

I'm assuming a fighter could load up on Motrin and Tequila before a fight, no?

well if anybody has ever been high on the weed they would know that you feel pain just the same and that it does nothing at all to enhance performance.....just silly to think its a pain killer!

Well I guess we'll never know.

Nick never applied to the commission for an exemption THATS why he never got one.

If the option is there for exemptions for medical reasons Nick should have known it, Gracie should have known it, someone in his camp should have known about the possibility of an exemption.

Saying Kizer wouldnt have allowed the exemption is a moot point cause Nick never asked for one. I guess we'll never know.

As for Marijuana in a fight situation... naw. Fight clean boys.

Triggerman99 wrote:

butterknifeninja wrote:

Did Nickdo something specific to incur the wrath of Kizer? Or is it more the fact that he tested positive for this before?

It's more about how Kizer acted/explained his actions after the Gomi fight.

I'm paraphrasing, but it was basicly;

"I think Diaz was intoxicated on marijuana and could not feel pain, so that's why I chose to overturn the fight to a NC, fine him, and suspend him."

He definitely said Diaz could not feel pain (I.E. had an unfair advantage by using pot), and based his judgement on that, so I can only assume that he still feels the same way about Diaz/marijuana in general and will continue to assume that weed is an unfait advantage-type situation....which is a ridiculous and uninformed stance to take.

Really? You really wanna see fighters fried on Pot.... thats what you wanna spend your money on? C'mon I can see defending Nick cause you're a fan ... but supporting stoned fighters? Naw

There's two different topics here:

1. Can you fault Nick for smoking pot?
2. Can you fault Nick for getting busted with it in his system after the fight?

The first one is very open to opinion, but bottom line IMO is that he is medically cleared by a doctor to use it. Hence, it's legal and he can smoke to his heart's content.

The second one is very cut and dry. Is marijuana a banned substance? Yes. Does Nick know it's a banned substance? Yes, especially considering he's been busted for it in the past. Is it his fault he failed the test and didn't apply for an exception? Absolutely. The "I didn't think I would piss hot" excuse is bullshit - he obviously knows it's banned so why not apply for an exception?

Krieger wrote:

Triggerman99 wrote:

butterknifeninja wrote:

Did Nickdo something specific to incur the wrath of Kizer? Or is it more the fact that he tested positive for this before?

It's more about how Kizer acted/explained his actions after the Gomi fight.

I'm paraphrasing, but it was basicly;

"I think Diaz was intoxicated on marijuana and could not feel pain, so that's why I chose to overturn the fight to a NC, fine him, and suspend him."

He definitely said Diaz could not feel pain (I.E. had an unfair advantage by using pot), and based his judgement on that, so I can only assume that he still feels the same way about Diaz/marijuana in general and will continue to assume that weed is an unfait advantage-type situation....which is a ridiculous and uninformed stance to take.

Really? You really wanna see fighters fried on Pot.... thats what you wanna spend your money on? C'mon I can see defending Nick cause you're a fan ... but supporting stoned fighters? Naw

Wait....What?!

How the fuck did you gather that from my post?

I'm saying it's BS to throw the book at a guy for testing positive for weed and using the excuse that he has an unfair advantage by doing so.
How exactly do you assume that I am somehow lobbying for fighters to get baked and then go fight?

If you think that Diaz was fried while he fought and/or I think that's a good thing, then you are wildy misunderstadning my stance.

If he was high, he would've gotten completely smashed; there's no way a guy could compete at the level that he does if he was high during a fight. If you would do a little research, you would find that he uses medicinally, tried to be clean by fight time, and fucked up the timing. He doesn't just get stoned before a fight. That's ridiculous.

If you want to discuss whether or not it's OK for him to use legally in his own state and then take the chance to try and be clean by test time, then fine. But don't try to have an arguement with me about a stance I am not even taking.

OK, now that I have re-read the post, I can see why you thought I was saying something that I wasn't.

I was mearly pointing out that Kizer is preaching something that is obviously not true. He was implying that Diaz was high during the Gomi fight, and likely feels the same way about this fight. I believe (am almost posititive) that he is wrong....but probably doesn't care.

Diaz has said many times that he uses marijuana medicinally and then stops around fight time and cleans-up in time for the fight; He doesn't toke up for the fight or anything like that. That would be stupid and counter-productive to what he is trying to do; win an MMA match.

Even if Diaz was high during a fight (which would be moronic), he would not have any sort of advantage whatsoever. But IMO that is not and was not ever the case. Kizer is delusional and wildly uninformed if he believes that is/was the case......and I'm afraid that is exactly what is going on.

Triggerman99 wrote:

Krieger wrote:

Triggerman99 wrote:

butterknifeninja wrote:

Did Nickdo something specific to incur the wrath of Kizer? Or is it more the fact that he tested positive for this before?

It's more about how Kizer acted/explained his actions after the Gomi fight.

I'm paraphrasing, but it was basicly;

"I think Diaz was intoxicated on marijuana and could not feel pain, so that's why I chose to overturn the fight to a NC, fine him, and suspend him."

He definitely said Diaz could not feel pain (I.E. had an unfair advantage by using pot), and based his judgement on that, so I can only assume that he still feels the same way about Diaz/marijuana in general and will continue to assume that weed is an unfait advantage-type situation....which is a ridiculous and uninformed stance to take.

Really? You really wanna see fighters fried on Pot.... thats what you wanna spend your money on? C'mon I can see defending Nick cause you're a fan ... but supporting stoned fighters? Naw

Wait....What?!

How the fuck did you gather that from my post?

I'm saying it's BS to throw the book at a guy for testing positive for weed and using the excuse that he has an unfair advantage by doing so.
How exactly do you assume that I am somehow lobbying for fighters to get baked and then go fight?

If you think that Diaz was fried while he fought and/or I think that's a good thing, then you are wildy misunderstadning my stance.

If he was high, he would've gotten completely smashed; there's no way a guy could compete at the level that he does if he was high during a fight. If you would do a little research, you would find that he uses medicinally, tried to be clean by fight time, and fucked up the timing. He doesn't just get stoned before a fight. That's ridiculous.

If you want to discuss whether or not it's OK for him to use legally in his own state and then take the chance to try and be clean by test time, then fine. But don't try to have an arguement with me about a stance I am not even taking.

You said, Kizer said "assume that weed is an unfait advantage-type situation" then YOU said ....which is a ridiculous and uninformed stance to take. This was all in response to you saying Kizer said that he knew Nick was stoned during the Gomi fight. Now maybe I misunderstood what you were saying but give me a fucking break.....

Weed and fighting dont mix .... Nick broke the rules.... lets not take Fanatic Fandom so far as to protect this guy from his responsibility as a grown up and don't blame Kizer for wanting a drug free sport.

Go read my last post.

I don't think Diaz was high during the fight. Kizer does, and I think that's idiotic. That's my point.

Kizer using the idea that Diaz gets baked for fights as a means to punish him to the furthest extent possible is not right IMO.

Whether or not it gives you an advantage if you are high during a fight is completely irrelevant to my point. I am just trying to point out that there is a huge difference between fighting on weed and being on weed several weeks prior to a fight and then failing a test for still having traces in your system.
Your previous post seemed to imply 2 things:
1)You believe the former.
2)I think the former is OK.

One of those things is not true at all, and I sincerely hope both are not true.

Kizer is playing the bullshit game now. Just stfu and be commissioner and stop trying to be more with interviews, etc. Everyone knows damn well if Nick applied for a medical marijuana exemption they would of denied it so dont even bring it up. He tested positive for something you dont allow. Just rule on it an move on. Dont posture now. Be secure in your ruling.

Uh .... I really don't care.... sorry don't know why I got so worked up.... Of couse you arn't advocating drug use during fights.

But I am getting tired of the Nick Drama.....

I'm getting tired of the drama too.

For those of you who know me and realize that I have been posting on these boards for about 5 years now (including the old site), you understand that I take very specific stances. I always say exactly what I mean. There is no need to assume what I am thinking or to read between the lines of my comments.
Look...I'm not an idiot. I know Diaz says and does stupid shit and Anderson Silva has an issue with cockiness and Chuck Lidell gets KO'd a lot.

But like I said; I say exactly what I mean. Due to the personalities of of the fighters I follow, it's not an easy road to travel when it comes to my fandom.

My point is that I am defending Diaz in regards to the seemingly over the top and unfair penalties levied against him by Kizer and his misguided views of what Diaz's marijuana use entails. I think Kizer and the commission are infusing the most extreme ideas possible into their arguement, and it is unfair IMO.

I am not defending Diaz's use of marijuana.
I am not defending Diaz as a person.
I am not saying Diaz is not immature.
I am not saying Diaz is completely innocent.

I am saying the commission is taking an unfair stance against him in regards to his marijuana use. That's it.

Please don't see me as a blind fan who doesn't see the truth.
The truth is that Diaz has issues.... and I accept that.
But a fan is a fan. And a knowledgeable fan knows when to defend his fighter and when not to.

He is wrong on many levels, but when he is getting screwed, that's when you'll hear from me. I'm not stupid enough to defend him outright and say he is a complete saint.

Sooooo you are saying Nick is gay.... likes to shoot heroin.... eats kittens.... and supports Obama and Ron Paul at the same time?

Exactyl!


Wait......what?


But all kidding aside;
If I were to come on this forum and try to defend Diaz on everything all the time, I would absolutely look like an idiot. That's exactly why I choose my words wisely and argue specific points. It just kind of annoys me when people have the mentality of taking the stance of either extreme 'A' or extreme 'B' when it comes to discussing their point of view.

Like "Diaz did nothing wrong!! Fuck the haters!!!" is super annoying and ignorant. Just like "Fuck that pothead!! Fire him and banish that thug from the UFC forever!!" is super annoying and ignorant.

I just think outlooks like those are close-minded and counter-productive to mature debate.

At this point I should probably clarify that the examples above are absolutely not from this forum, but generated from my ill-advised decision to start an account on another website......which rhymes with NnaPeekly.