Nick Diaz’s Lawyer Responds to NSAC Suspension, Claims “Marijuana Metabolites” Not on Banned Substance List |

(In Stockton, even the superheroes are on drugs.) 

Considering that Nick Diaz has stated he is done fighting MMA, a notion that his own brother believes he will hold true to, perhaps this news is ultimately a moot point. Regardless, after Diaz tested positive for marijuana metabolites following his unanimous decision loss to Carlos Condit at UFC 143, he was handed a one year suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, probably to give him some time to think about this whole retirement issue.

Well if Diaz’s lawyer, Ross Goodman, has his way, Diaz could have the option to return to MMA sooner than he thinks, should he decide to. Yes, it appears Goodman filed a response challenging the commission’s ruling yesterday, claiming that since Diaz tested positive for “marijuana metabolites” and not marijuana, he should therefore be exempt from any punishment, as marijuana metabolites are not on the NSAC’s list of banned substances: Here’s what he told ESPN.com in a recent interview:

Marijuana is the only substance that is prohibited; not marijuana metabolites. The basis to discipline Mr. Diaz is that he tested positive for a prohibited substance. We know he didn’t test positive for marijuana. So, you look to see at WADA [World Anti-Doping Agency]whether marijuana metabolites are prohibited. They do not prohibit it in any category. You have to test positive for marijuana, as opposed to this inactive ingredient Nick did.

If there’s nothing in the rules prohibiting marijuana metabolites, why are we here?

Now, we know we’ve discussed this issue and issues related to marijuana use a thousand times. It’s an interesting subject, and let’s be honest, would any of you watch videos of Rampage Jackson rapping like Ja-Rule if you weren’t puffing the magic dragon? That’s what we thought, you fried potatoes, you.

But in either case, Goodman makes a sound argument here. Being that Diaz has been diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed medical marijuana, and has admitted to stopping his marijuana use eight days out from a given fight, it seems kind of ridiculous that he has to keep jumping through hoops in order to compete, don’t you think?

To read Goodman’s full response to the NSAC, click here. To witness Diaz’s response to the NSAC, check out the video below.

So what do guys say? Does Goodman’s case hold any weight, or, since Diaz claims to be done with MMA, is this ultimately a pointless argument?

-J. Jones