California commission announces 'total ban' of testosterone-replacement therapy

The California State Athletic Commission is tightening its rules when it comes to therapeutic-use exemptions for testosterone-replacement therapy, and in the interim, has announced a total ban on TRT.

Commission officials today announced the move, which comes one week after the influential Nevada State Athletic Commission issued a ban and set the dominoes in motion for other regulatory bodies to follow suit.

According to todays statement, the commission will soon require World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards to receive a TRT exemption. In turn, the commission believes such guidelines will create an effective ban on the controversial steroid-hormone treatment.

Until those rules are enacted, though, no TUEs will be granted in the state of California.

California State Athletic Commission Executive Officer Andy Fosters statement:

The California State Athletic Commission fully supports the Nevada State Athletic Commissions decision to eliminate Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE) for Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) in boxing and mixed martial arts. California is a strong supporter of anti-doping efforts. As part of Californias anti-doping efforts, the Commission recently began the rulemaking process to require meeting World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards as the only way to obtain a TUE for TRT. This standard is so high that it is an effective ban except under the most extreme circumstances. Until the rulemaking process is complete and the regulations are fully adopted, the Commission has a total ban on TRT. California remains committed to protecting the health and safety of athletes and having strict anti-doping standards is one of the ways this is accomplished.

To date the UFC, MMAs biggest promotion, has held 18 events in the state of California, which annually hosts more events than nearly every U.S. state. The UFCs most recent show came in December with UFC on FOX 9.

Also see:

NSAC votes unanimously to ban testosterone-replacement therapy, effective immediately (Steven Marrocco)

Brian Stann, Tim Kennedy, Travis Browne speak out on NSACs TRT ban (Steven Marrocco)

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California commission announces 'total ban' of testosterone-replacement therapy