Matt Every suspended three months for drug of abuse

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Matt Every has been suspended for three months for violating the PGA TOUR's conduct policy on drugs of abuse.

The TOUR announced the suspension Friday afternoon. Every will be eligible to return January 7. He will miss only three tournaments for which he would have been eligible.

Every has two victories on the PGA TOUR, winning back-to-back at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard in 2014 and 2015. He advanced to the FedExCup Playoffs last year, but did not make it beyond the first postseason event.

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 have been determined that I am neither an acceptable candidate to use prescription “Z” class drugs nor benzodiazepines. Additionally, these classes of drugs can be highly addictive and harmful to the human body and mind. For me cannabis has proven to be, 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.