'Ink Master' eliminated member Josh Hibbard not apologetic about using weed, insists it did not give him advantage despite other contestants disagreeing

By Staff Writer

Nov 19 2014, 02:27 AM EST

"Ink Master" season 5 episode 12 has one less tattooist for fans to watch, as Joshua Hibbard has been eliminated in the previous episode for using marijuana. The fan favorite has since moved on and is now starting a Kickstarter campaign.

According to IB Times, episode 11 had Hibbard packing after Dave Navarro told Hibbard that he was not fit to be an "Ink Master." However, it wasn't a tattoo that had ended his stint in the show. The article says, "Josh wasn't sent home for a bad tattoo-he was eliminated from the competition because he was caught smoking weed."

Hibbard turning to weed has been the subject of a confrontation between him and his fellow contestants. Hibbard turned to weed for his anxiety, which he admitted without thinking that it was a big deal. IB Times says Hibbard didn't intend to use weed "to get an advantage," but the others didn't agree.

"While no one has ever heard of 'performance-enhancing weed,' the 'Ink Master' cast members were upset that Josh breached the rules of the competition," reports IB Times.

Cleen Rock One called Hibbard a "liar or a cheat." Before his elimination, Carter Matt says that Hibbard's performance this season has given him an edge over Cleen Rock One, another early favorite.

Hibbard has apologized to the cast and the judges, including Navarro, Chris Nunez, and Oliver Peck, but the decision has been made, and Hibbard has been sent home for multiple violations.

However, Breathe Cast reports Hibbard not being apologetic about his actions, with the fan favorite releasing a statement on his website saying, "I feel no regret or remorse for my decisions; in fact, because of this experience I am more in favor of marijuana legalization."

Fans did not take the decision of Hibbard's elimination easily and wanted to have him back, sparking a Twitter hashtag "KeepJosh" for the cause.

The show's "Rivals" season will continue with Aaron, Cris, Mark, Jason, Cleen Rock One, Erik, and Don to compete for a $100,000 prize and being called "Ink Master."

As Hibbard makes an exit from the show, Breathe Cast reports that he has started a Kickstarter campaign for a clothing line, Instigate Clothing, which encourages positive changes in a person's life.