NSAC makes pass/fail threshold for marijuana metabolites HIGHer for UFC and MMA drug tests

Better late than never, I suppose.

Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) has made life easier for mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters who happen to be marijuana smokers, raising the threshold for a positive test result for Carboxy-THC (marijuana metabolite) from 50 ng/mL to 150 ng/mL, according to a report from Middle Easy.

NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer breaks it down for Inside MMA (via MMA Weekly):

"The rule was changed to ensure fighters were not penalized for using marijuana days or weeks prior to competing. Fighters will still not be permitted to be under the influence of marijuana during a fight."

Bottom line?

If you show up for a fight, stoned off your keister, you can expect to be popped. However, long gone are the days where fighters were penalized for blowing a few bones after practice -- a month before stepping into the cage -- thanks to some lingering metabolites.

But we're too late to save Pat Healy and Nick Diaz, among others.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was first to elevate its threshold back in May (details), one that mirrors the recent change from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). While ZUFFA-promoted events default to a local athletic commission, there are geographical destinations -- mostly overseas -- that still do not have a sanctioning body.

In those instances, UFC is forced to self-regulate (and does so in earnest).

Now that NSAC, UFC and WADA are all on the same page regarding marijuana metabolites, does anyone think we've seen the last of the pot-related drug test failures? Or will some athletes try to use the new cushion to get their smoke on closer to a fight?

Opinions, please.