When MMA fighter Elias Theodorou steps into the cage on Saturday, he isn't just looking to fight his opponent, Bryan Baker — he's also fighting for medical cannabis rights. Elias Theodorou of Canada kicks Daniel Kelly of Australia in their middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event on November 19, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. Last year, Theodorou became the first professional athlete in North America publicly known to receive a therapeutic use exemption for medical cannabis, granted by the British Columbia Athletic Commission in Canada. Antell believes medical professionals need to be "more receptive to alternatives" for pain management, like medical cannabis, that are not mainstream yet. As Theodorou continues to train for his upcoming fight, he says he's already "very proud" of what he's accomplished in advocating for medical cannabis.

Source: Ethiopian News December 17, 2021 17:38 UTC