Issue 097

January 2013

EACH ISSUE FIGHTERS ONLY BRINGS TOGETHER TWO FIGURES FROM FIGHT SPORTS AND FOUR FO TWITTER FOLLOWERS TO DISCUSS THE GAME’S HOT-BUTTON TOPICS 

IS MARIJUANA A PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUG?

YES

JOE ROGAN

UFC color commentator and recreational marijuana user

I think it is a performance enhancing drug. If it wasn’t, a huge majority of jiu-jitsu guys wouldn’t be using it before they train. 

“A lot of Brazilian guys use marijuana before they train. A lot of American jiu-jitsu guys use it before they train. And they don’t do it because it hurts them; they do it because it helps them.” 

NO

FRANK TRIGG

Fight veteran and former UFC welterweight title contender

When Nick Diaz fought Takanori Gomi in Las Vegas and failed the drug test, it was because his marijuana metabolite levels were so high that he failed. The level he was at was so high that it became a painkiller. But that doesn’t enhance your performance. It doesn’t make you a better athlete because you don’t feel pain. So, to me, marijuana is not a performance-enhancing drug. Yet testosterone is a performance-enhancing drug, but you’re allowed to take testosterone with a therapeutic-use exemption. I don’t get that.” 

What you had to say on the matter ...

“Only fools would argue it is, but it still requires a TUE and is illegal in some states.”

@DJEKLEKTIK88

“Great question. Despite all ‘lazy’ connotations it has, it isn’t always true. So because it relieves pain, it’s a yes (sadly).”

@JAZZTHEJOURNO

“How can it enhance your performance when all you want to do is eat, chill, laugh and sleep. Really it slows down performance.”

@JOHNDONEGAN88

“Depends which one you smoke indica or sativa. Indica kinda numbs the body where sativa relaxes the mind for a mental edge.”

@THEIRONFLAG

WANT TO HAVE YOUR SAY? follow us on Twitter (@FightersOnly) And look out for our monthly ‘big debate’ question