Matt Every has been suspended for three months for violating the PGA Tour’s ‘conduct policy on drugs of abuse’.
The tour made the announcement via a short statement that said that he will be eligible to return to action on January 7, meaning that he will miss three tournaments.
Shortly afterwards the player released his own statement, explaining everything, before the jungle drums could begin beating: “I am making these comments in response to the statement released by the PGA Tour announcing my suspension for testing positive for a substance identified as a ‘drug of abuse’.
“To be clear I tested positive for cannabis, a drug I do not abuse and a drug that I have a legal prescription for in the state of Florida.
“I have been prescribed cannabis for a mental health condition by my physician whom has managed my medical care for 30 years. It has been determined that I am neither an acceptable candidate for use prescription ‘Z’ class drugs nor benzodiazepines. Actually these classes of drugs can be highly addictive and harmful to the human body and mind. For me cannabis has proven, by far, the safest and most effective treatment.
“With that being said, I have no choice but to accept this suspension and move on. I knew what WADA’s policy was and I violated it. I don’t agree with it for many reasons, mainly for my overall well-being, but I’m excited for what lies ahead in my life and career. Over the last few years I have made massive strides and I know my best is still in front of me. I can’t wait to come back better than ever in January.”
Every has two victories on the PGA Tour, winning back-to-back at Bay Hill in 2014 and 2015 and he becomes the seventh player suspended since drug testing began in 2008.
