The Doggy Bag: Now With More Nick Diaz!

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I am conflicted as to how I feel about Nick Diaz testing positive again for marijuana. I’m not looking to “blame” somebody, but I just don’t understand how everybody around him could have let this happen again. I know Nick is a troubled, anxious guy, but he has a close relationship with his trainer and team, as well as a checkered past that should maybe make Zuffa try to hold his hand. What a mess. -- Eric from Toronto

Jordan Breen, administrative editor: First, let us not equivocate. A failure happened in this case, so there is culpability somewhere.

However, your internal conflict hits at the reality of the matter: it is a chaotic, lamentable situation where negligence abounds. There is virtually no one in this situation who does not deserve some knuckle-rapping and consternation.

Diaz has a history with this. Regardless of whether or not he has a medical marijuana card, it remains illegal to test positive for it under the auspices of the Association of Boxing Commissions. If Nick Diaz wants to use marijuana or any other hemp-related products that could produce a positive test, that is his prerogative. However, for a fighter who speaks so candidly about his desire to make more money, he should try a bit more intently not to sabotage himself. He might be a socially anxious sort, as you have pointed out, but he is still a rational actor.

And, if he is not, he has a manager and trainer in Cesar Gracie who should be ensuring that Diaz knows the hurdles to clear in order to keep his career -- and associated paychecks -- rolling along. Zuffa, which is attempting to turn him into a pay-per-view draw, should perhaps engage in some extra due diligence, as well, given Diaz’s tumultuous past.

Let us not spare the Nevada State Athletic Commission and its brethren, as well.

As my man Luke Thomas was so righteous to point out, testing for marijuana is a sham, since when a contestant smoked cannot accurately be ascertained. This testing, much like testing for performance-enhancing drugs, is the ultimate in window dressing. Personally, I have no issue with performance-enhancing drugs or marijuana, but if we are to consider the relative merits of either as competitive aids, certainly there is a pronounced edge for the former. Yet, a therapeutic use exemption for testosterone replacement therapy is usually a matter of filling out some paperwork.

The upside? Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer wants to hear your delightful, articulate, well-reasoned and typo-free voices in his inbox, opining on everything you think needs tweaking with respect to regulating prizefighting. You can let Kaiser Kizer know what you think by emailing him right here.

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