Story updated at 2:32 p.m. ET to include comments from Titan COO Lex McMahon.

Moving forward, MMA fighters competing in Florida no longer have to worry about the state’s zero tolerance policy on cannabinoids.

The Florida State Athletic Commission today voted unanimously to adopt the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standard on the compounds, which drastically raises the threshold for an adverse finding.

Unfortunately for Titan FC flyweight champ Juan Puerta (16-6), the new standard is not liberal enough to clear him of a positive test for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the psychoactive component in marijuana – that pulled him from a title defense this past month.

A person with knowledge of his case, who asked to remain anonymous because the information isn’t public, told MMA Junkie that Puerta’s “B” sample from the positive test came back well over the cutoff for a violation. He now faces a six-month suspension, though he could receive a reduction if he admits fault.

Under the WADA standard, an athlete can have up to 150 ng/mL of cannabinoids during the in-competition period before a test is flagged. Cannabinoids are allowed out-of-competition. Previously, the Florida commission merely tested for presence of cannabinoids, and any level triggered administrative discipline.

The good news for Puerta, who recently detailed the fallout of the situation in an interview with MMA Junkie, is that his potential suspension is within a window offered by Titan FC COO Lex McMahon. The executive today told MMA Junkie he won’t strip the champ if the commission issues its standard punishment of six months for first-time offenders (Puerta may also receive a reduced suspension if he admits fault).

McMahon said Puerta is due to appear at a commission meeting on April 27, the same day as UFC on ESPN 3. He plans to testify on Puerta’s behalf and will ask the commission to order community service for the fighter.

“I believe in him,” McMahon said. “I also believe that has has to have some consequences. I’m going to require that he do some community service, and turn this situation into a positive.

“I’ve already spoken with some sports teams that we have a relationship with. He’s going to go in and speak very candidly about the mistakes he made, and how it’s impacted him, and what he’s going to do to make changes. I’ve discussed it with Juan, and he’s amenable to it. I think the commission would look favorably on it.”

During a commission meeting held via teleconference, several commissioners championed the adoption of international standards as a way to remain competitive among commissions that regulate world-class events such as the UFC. They noted the adoption of the WADA standard by the highly respected Nevada and California commissions.

“We want to be with the big boys,” one commissioner said.

Minor opposition was raised about the 150 ng/mL threshold; one commissioner noted the federal standard of 50 ng/mL for an adverse finding. He disputed the idea that WADA’s cutoff only protects “passive” users from positive tests, noting a single joint smoked by an average user resulted in 90 ng/mL of tetrahydrocannabinol in the body.

After Puerta’s positive test, the industry-leader warned its fighters about marijuana with UFC on ESPN 3 set for April 27 in Sunrise, Fla. The Florida commission also received a call from UFC VP of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner, who reportedly received assurances that the policy on pot would be changed. UFC VP of Athlete Health and Performance Jeff Novitzky praised the Florida commission for its proactivity on the issue.

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