Former UFC fighter Elias Theodorou has long been a proponent for the benefits of medical cannabis and now the fighter has made some history.
That?s because Theodorou has become the first amateur or professional MMA fighter to receive a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) for medical cannabis.
The British Columbia Athletic Commission (BCAC), according to a statement received by MMA Fighting, will allow Theodorou ?to continue his doctor-prescribed use of medicinal cannabis and protects him from penalty if he tests above the previous threshold for in-competition use. He will follow the guidelines provided by the athletic commission regarding fight-week medical use.?
Theodorou has passed one major hurdle in getting athletic commissions to allow the use of medical cannabis, but the fighter knows the work isn?t done yet.
?I am grateful both as a patient and an athlete for the approval of my medical cannabis TUE by the BC Athletic Commission, recognizing my fundamental Canadian right to medicate as prescribed by my medical doctor,? Theodorou said in the statement. ?I remain committed to fighting the negative stigma of medical cannabis, not only for myself but for all athletes.?
There is no word yet on when Theodorou will fight again, as he last competed in December of last year.