Of Marijuana and Michael Phelps…

Michael Phelps, one of the most successful Olympians of all time, was recently caught smoking from a bong (a water pipe that holds marijuana) at a party. It was apparently a really big deal. Phelps was the subject of federal prosecution and was suspended from competitive swimming for three months. He was also forced to apologize to the millions of people he had “let down”. I haven’t heard anything so ridiculous in a while, and was happy to see that there was quite a bit of backlash, with people standing up for Phelps’ right to enjoy himself once in a while. I really liked some of the responses and decided to share some of them on this blog.

First up, a viral message was circulated across the Internet. Using a site called Graphjam, an impassioned Phelps supporter came up with this chart. I particularly like the kettle-pot reference, given that 40% of people in the US have tried smoking pot at least once.

Next, a clip from Larry King Live, the popular talk show, that featured comedian Bill Maher as a guest. He defends Phelps strongly, affirming that if anyone deserves to sit back, relax and smoke up, its the best athlete in America.

Last, and best, was this article in Reason Magazine, about what Phelps should have said instead of apologizing. Here are some excerpts, though I encourage you to read the entire response. Its strong stuff.

Dear America,

I take it back. I don’t apologize.

Because you know what? It’s none of your goddamned business. I work my ass off 10 months a year. It’s that hard work that gave you all those gooey feelings of patriotism last summer. If during my brief window of down time I want to relax, enjoy myself, and partake of a substance that’s a hell of a lot less bad for me than alcohol, tobacco, or, frankly, most of the prescription drugs most of you are taking, well, you can spare me the lecture.

……

You’ll have to pardon my cynicism. But I call bullshit. You don’t give a damn about my health. You just get a voyeuristic thrill from watching an elite athlete fall from grace–all the better if you get to exercise a little moral righteousness in the process. And it’s hypocritical righteousness at that, given that 40 percent of you have tried pot at least once in your lives.

……

Until then, I for one will have none of it. I smoked pot. I liked it. I’ll probably do it again. I refuse to apologize for it, because by apologizing I help perpetuate this stupid lie, this idea that what someone puts into his own body on his own time is any of the government’s damned business. Or any of yours. I’m not going to bend over and allow myself to be propaganda for this wasteful, ridiculous, immoral war.

Go ahead and tear me down if you like. But let’s see you rationalize in your next lame ONDCP commercial how the greatest motherfucking swimmer the world has ever seen…is also a proud pot smoker.

Yours,

Michael Phelps

So true, all this stuff. And so well put. Hopefully, America and the rest of the world will realize that banning a world champion for ingesting a substance that’s a nowhere near as harmful as alcohol, cigarettes or even a calorie-loaded cheeseburger is just impractical.