Historic Win for Cannabis in Pro MMA Fighting with Elias Theodorou
Cannabis has long been stigmatized in society, but in recent years advocacy efforts have started to pay off. In 2019, Canada made the move to legalize weed, opening the door to conversations about the healing properties of cannabis and its potential to improve quality of life. Today, cannabis flower and products are widely available, allowing everyday Canadians to find more natural, therapeutic solutions for a wide range of physical and mental needs.
One area where cannabis has been truly stigmatized is within professional sports. Perceived as a dangerous drug with no medicinal properties, cannabis has been banned across all kinds of sporting organizations across North America. Elias Theodorou, a professional mixed martial arts fighter for 9 years, is a long-time cannabis user and advocate. He was the first Canadian to win the famed reality show Ultimate Fighter, and today regularly competes in UFC and other championships as the first Canadian sanctioned cannabis athlete in pro sports. Elias is passionate about setting a precedent with his Therapeutic Use Exemption for cannabis in competition, and challenging outdated stigmas around its use.
Staying primed for MMA competitions is grueling work. Elias spends 2-4 hours a day working on different moves, punches and kicks, and also runs regularly in order to maintain cardiovascular conditioning. He describes cannabis as an integral part of his training process, as it helps him elevate mentally, push forward and maintain his will to win.
Elias turns to Herb Angels tinctures each morning, to help him achieve his optimal mental state and prepare his body for the physical work. The 1:1 CBD/THC balance offers great benefits via anti-inflammatory properties within CBD and the pain management capabilities of THC. He also uses raw cannabis in smoothies prior to training, in order to access the full spectrum of cannabinoids available. At night, Elias uses Indica strain cannabis flower to medicate and help him achieve a restful sleep. Topical treatments from Herb Angels are the final part of his routine, as a source of relief to sore, cramped muscles.
Having been in professional sports all his life, Elias is no stranger to pain and injury. Serious injuries in his days as a semi-pro skateboarder have left him with nerve damage, and MMA training over the years has resulted in his developing a condition known as Bilateral Neuropathy. Having witnessed others in his life suffer as a result of dependency on opioids and painkillers, Elias knew he wanted to go a different route when it came to medication. In consultation with his doctor, it was determined that cannabis was the most effective and safe option, with the lowest number of side effects that could harm him as a patient and athlete.
Recently, Elias competed against Matt Dwyer in the middleweight bout at Rise FC MMA Championship in British Columbia. On March 13, 2021, Elias defeated Dwyer in the 3rd round, making this his second win since officially becoming granted his Therapeutic Use Exemption in January, 2020.
In the U.S., cannabis is considered a Schedule 1 drug, and as such it is illegal to use, especially in professional sports. After his success in Canada, Elias is actively pursuing the same Therapeutic Use Exemption in the U.S. Every individual has the fundamental right to medicate as prescribed by their doctor, afforded them by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Elias hopes to achieve a win on this front in the U.S., trailblazing a path for all athletes and achieving fair and equitable consideration of cannabis as a legitimate form of treatment.
