Michael Phelps Has No Business Apologizing for Taking Bong Hits

[one...two...tree 2,762]

By Tony Newman

Plastered all over the internet right now is a photo of Michael Phelps smoking marijuana out of a bong. Mr. Phelps put out a statement saying that he acted in a youthful and inappropriate way and that he promises it won't happen again. Different people are weighing in on the possible impact of this photo on the gold medalist's 100-million-dollar endorsement deals.Here are a few of my observations on Phelps' bong hits.

Phelps is in good company:

Phelps struck another blow to the myth that marijuana smokers are lazy couch potatoes. Here is the guy who has won more gold medals than anyone in history, and obviously his health and accomplishments are not hindered by smoking some pot. In addition to his swimming skills, he is a successful businessman who has turned his swimming skills into an enormous public relations platform and money generator. Successful and honorable people who have smoked some pot are all around us, from President Obama to Mayor Bloomberg.

Phelps apology was unnecessary:

While Phelps' statement said he acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, he did not pretend to have a drug problem and promise to go to rehab. So many times when celebrities are caught with drugs they give tearful statements and promise to get help. Phelps doesn't appear to have a drug problem and there is no reason for him to take up valuable treatment slots if he doesn't have a drug problem.

Does it hurt or help his image?

While some "experts" are predicting that Phelps bong hits could cost him millions, I could also see it humanizing him and making him even more popular with a large section of the public. Phelps' swimming accomplishments have always been awe-inspiring, but who could relate to the guy who swam eight hours a day and had to eat 23 hamburgers every day to compensate for the calories he burns off in training? Seeing him with his hat on backwards taking a hit made me feel like I could relate to the guy more. With half of high-school seniors having tried marijuana before they graduate, it is not clear that this photo is going to disillusion his fan base.

Pot use doesn't discriminate, but our pot laws do:

While they have been some progress on acceptance for people who use marijuana, there are still many laws on the books that cause more harm that the smoking of marijuana. Close to 800,000 people were arrested for marijuana last year and the vast majority for only possessing small amounts. Harry Levine and Deborah Small put out a report last year that found that between 1998 and 2007 New York City police arrested 374,900 people for low-level, misdemeanor marijuana offenses. That is more than eight times the number of arrests on the same charges for the previous ten-year period between 1988 and 1997, when 45,300 people were picked up for having small amounts of marijuana.

Researchers also found stark racial disparities in who NYPD officers chose to arrest for marijuana offenses. The report found that 83 percent of those charged in these cases were black or Latino, despite equal marijuana use between whites and non-whites. The discrepancy, the researchers asserted, is because NYPD officers stopped and frisked blacks and Latinos at a dramatically higher rate.

Once someone is convicted of a drug offense, they can lose college financial aid, food stamps, public housing and, in some cases, even voting rights. Money wasted and lives ruined … and for what?

5. Phelps can continue to be a role model:

I like Phelps and don't think his bong hit should hurt him. If he truly wants to be a role model he can take his comments and platform to the next level. He can say simply, "Yes, that was me smoking marijuana, and the laws that ruin peoples' lives for using marijuana should be debated and changed."

http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/12479...king_bong_hits/

[Jenn! 918]

I like Phelps and don't think his bong hit should hurt him. If he truly wants to be a role model he can take his comments and platform to the next level. He can say simply, "Yes, that was me smoking marijuana, and the laws that ruin peoples' lives for using marijuana should be debated and changed."

Hmmmm, you'll have to excuse me if I don't hold my breath for that one.

[Jasman0717 9]

Outlaw cigarettes, legalize pot and tax the hell out of it

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Well, they could solve California's budget crisis if they did.

Maybe the bong explains the 12,000 calorie diet

[Waldo 0]

Well, they could solve California's budget crisis if they did.

Maybe the bong explains the 12,000 calorie diet

Now that's funny... I don't care who you are.

I think they are blowing this WAY out of proportion.

[Fandango 1,439]

yep, now the 23 hamburgers a day makes sense...

And Phelps didn't need to apologize. He's an athlete, not a role model. We need to stop glorifying athletes for things other than their physical prowess. You want to give your kid a role model? Be one.

[Nothing1234 2]

This is so ridiculous to debate. It's a bong hit for goodness sakes.

It's NORML to smoke pot...http://norml.org/

[Nothing1234 2]

I like Phelps and don't think his bong hit should hurt him. If he truly wants to be a role model he can take his comments and platform to the next level. He can say simply, "Yes, that was me smoking marijuana, and the laws that ruin peoples' lives for using marijuana should be debated and changed."

Hmmmm, you'll have to excuse me if I don't hold my breath for that one.

I agree he will not come out to say something like that...however, they are decriminalized marijuana possession to some extent in several states.

[Danno 1,228]

Finally, a home for the VJ pot-heads.

(as if we didn't know who you were.)

[pedroh 21]

heck he broke world records and won a ton of gold medals.. oh wait, he smoke pot, oh noes.. his world records don't count anymore..

puleese.. it's time to stop those old lady rumors about weed.. wait until he returns for another olympic games and pwns everybody's @ss again.. oh snap!! he smoke pot! and he will break world records again..

[Nothing1234 2]

There is a place for everyone here. Even the rigidly conventional.

BTW---You don't have to be a pothead to think that the way we crucify people in the news is a bit insane.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

I feel its my right as an adult citizen to not to be told what I can and can not put in my body and what I can and can not take out of it.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Finally, a home for the VJ pot-heads.

(as if we didn't know who you were.)

I don't smoke it...I rarely even drink alcohol, but I don't see the logic in continuing to criminalize those who do. It makes absolutely no sense and I have yet to see anything remotely logical for keeping marijuana illegal.

[Nothing1234 2]

Finally, a home for the VJ pot-heads.

(as if we didn't know who you were.)

I don't smoke it...I rarely even drink alcohol, but I don't see the logic in continuing to criminalize those who do. It makes absolutely no sense and I have yet to see anything remotely logical for keeping marijuana illegal.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

yep, now the 23 hamburgers a day makes sense...

And Phelps didn't need to apologize. He's an athlete, not a role model. We need to stop glorifying athletes for things other than their physical prowess. You want to give your kid a role model? Be one.

Exactly. He's just a dumbass for having his picture taken while he was doing it.