Emanuel Newton fails test for marijuana
Emanuel Newton tested positive for marijuana, following his loss of the Bellator light heavyweight title to Liam McGeary at Bellator 134 on February 27.
Social attitudes towards marijuana use are rapidly changing in the US, with a large number of state decriminalizing and even legalizing it. However, just because marijuana use is seen as a personal choice rather than an illegal act, a fighter cannot compete while high, just as he or she cannot compete while drunk.
The allowable limit set by most state athletic commissions used to be 50 ng/mL, which indicates recent use, but not that the athlete is high. Some ACs have moved the level to 150 ng/mL, bringing it in keeping with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards.
Now The MMA Report reports that Emanuel Newton tested positive for marijuana, following his loss of the Bellator light heavyweight title to Liam McGeary at Bellator 134 on February 27.
Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulations Director Mike Mazzulli confirmed the positive drug test to The MMA Report on Thursday.
For the positive drug test result, Newton has been suspended 90 days, fined $3,000 and must submit a clean drug test to come off suspension.
Earlier this week, the commission told The MMA Report that the drug test results came back inconclusive and Mazzulli stated that the positive drug test from Newton came in a secondary drug test that was tested by the lab. In addition, Mazzulli stated that the Mohegan Tribe commission has a zero tolerance policy on marijuana was Newton’s levels were over 100 ng/mL.
Bellator issued a statement.
It is important for all athletes to abide by the rules of the governing commission and we fully support the commission in their decision, the statement said. We look forward to seeing Mr. Newton get back in the cage once he serves his suspension.
