Mixed Martial Arts MMA Champion and MMJ Advocate

From the December 2010 Issue of High Times | Buzz Section | Page 13 | Marijuana Martial Artist

Toby "Tigerheart" Grear is the former Total Fighting Alliance Lightweight World MMA champion, and runs True Warrior Fitness, based in Hollywood. His goal is to make it to the UFC, but he says there may be some roadblocks. Grear believes: 

"Marijuana allows athletes to both manage their pain and help get the appropriate sleep naturally without the risk of becoming addicted to prescription drugs with various side effects. Marijuana helps significantly with recovery in that it relaxes the body naturally allowing cells to repair more efficiently allowing athletes to train longer and harder the next day. As a fighter, marijuana helps me mentally by allowing me to turn the volume down on everything around me and stay focused on my students and career."

Toby isn't just--um--blowing smoke. He's battling the California State Athletic Commission for the right to use medical marijuana and still be sanctioned for mixed martial arts events. He also appeared on the "Cannabis & Athleticism" panel at last year's NORML conference in San Francisco.Toby feels a deep responsibility toward younger people, partnering with two Los Angeles high schools to bring martial arts to students.

"As I continue to win fights with my eye on that UFC gold, " he says, "it's important that people understand the importance of teaching respomnsible use, rather than allowing children and young adults to make poor decisions regarding their use of marijuana."

Grear is one of the 12 fighters competing this fall for a possible six-figure UFC contract on Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter. Sounds like he'll be taking hits while dishing them out. - visit TrueWarriorFitness.Com