Well now…maybe the story today on the Drudge Report–featuring a possible photograph of uber-Olympian and champion pitch man Michael Phelps indulging in some marijuana use with a nice, big glass bong–may finally explain why, when I’m in Baltimore, business owners and some in the media often ask me “if Michael Phelps is a big NORML supporter?” My usual reply is ‘no, not as far as I know. Why?’
Now maybe that answer has possibly presented itself. Check out the photo here.
*Update: Phelps acknowledges the photo is accurate and that he has used marijuana…
14-times Olympic gold medal winner Michael Phelps caught with cannabis pipe
By Georgina Dickinson, 01/02/2009
In our exclusive photo Michael Phelps, who won a record EIGHT gold medals for swimming at the Beijing games last summer, draws from a bong.
The glass pipes are generally used to smoke cannabis.
And after sporting chiefs announced laws which mean four-year bans for drug-taking, Phelps’ dreams of adding to his overall 14 gold medal tally at the 2012 games in London could already be OVER.
Those dreams seemed the last thing on his mind when he puffed from the bong during two days of partying with students last November, a quiet time in the swimming calendar when athletes would not expect to get tested for drugs.
One party-goer who witnessed the star’s behaviour told the News of the World: “He was out of control from the moment he got there.
“If he continues to party like that I’d be amazed if he ever won any more medals again.”
Phelps’ aides went into a panic over our story and offered us a raft of extraordinary incentives not to run the bong picture.
It was on November 6, weeks after his Beijing triumph, that 23-year-old Phelps surprised students at the University Of South Carolina in Columbia by showing up unannounced at a house party.
He was visiting Jordan Matthews, a girl he was secretly seeing who was a student there.
Our source revealed: “Michael came to visit Jordan but ended up just getting wasted every night.
“He arrived with a group of girls hanging all over him. Jaws hit the floor when he walked in. You don’t get many celebrities in Columbia, so when Phelps comes to your party it’s a very big deal.
Obnoxious
“He didn’t know many people so you’d think he’d be a little shy. But he was loud, obnoxious and slamming beers from the get-go.
“Every girl wanted a piece of him and every guy wanted to be his best buddy. He couldn’t get enough of all the attention.”
As he basked in his hero status, Phelps knocked back beers and shots of spirits. And when a student offered him the glass bong engraved with red writing, he did not hesitate, says our source.
The 6ft 4ins athlete, in a white T-shirt and navy cap worn back to front, clasped the device in his huge hands and inhaled deeply.
Our source said: “You could tell Michael had smoked before. He grabbed the bong and a lighter and knew exactly what to do.
“He looked just as natural with a bong in his hands as he does swimming in the pool. He was the gold medal winner of bong hits. Michael ended up getting a little paranoid, though, because before too long he looked like he was nervous and ran out of the place.”
But the next night, Phelps was out partying again. The source added: “He was right back at it at Pavlov’s bar.
“Like the night before he was holding court, throwing back shots two at a time and pouring drinks to every cute girl.”
Drink has got Phelps into trouble before. In 2004, aged 19, he got 18 months probation for driving while under the influence.
His wild behaviour is in stark contrast to the grim regime which took him to the top of his sport.
He once described his life, saying: “All you do is eat, sleep, swim; eat, sleep, swim; eat, sleep, swim.”
Last night Phelps’ management team and the sporting world closed ranks over the scandal.
Taint
The US Olympics Committee, who have pledged to clamp down on drug use, refused to comment, as did USA Swimming and Phelps’ coach Bob Bowman.
More surprising still was the World Anti-Doping Agency’s refusal to comment, given that they introduced the four-year ban on sport’s drug users.
Phelps, who earned £4million last year in endorsements, has resumed training for the 2012 games.
But there were fears about his commitment when, weeks after the bong incident, he began dating former stripper Caroline Pal.
Phelps is represented by marketing giant Octagon, which works with huge brands such as Mastercard and HSBC. They admitted proven cannabis use would be “a major taint” on Phelps’ character.
Spokesman Clifford Bloxham offered us an extraordinary deal not to publish our story, saying Phelps would become our columnist for three years, host events and get his sponsors to advertise with us.
In return, he asked that we kill Phelps’ bong picture. Bloxham said: “It’s seeing if something potentially very negative for Michael could turn into something very positive for the News of the World.”
He stressed that the swimmer had taken 1,500 drug tests and never failed one.
Until now?
*Update: Phelps acknowledges the photo is accurate and that he has used marijuana.
Maybe this and the arrest of Barack Obama’s half brother in Kenya for possession will get it at the forefront of the Obama Administration’s priorities like we all want!
what a terrible article. it really sounded like those sources were credible “He looked just as natural with a bong in his hands as he does swimming in the pool. He was the gold medal winner of bong hits.” Absolutuly ridiculous. It’s a shame that whoever took that picture probably made a sizeable amount of money from it. his description of his daily routine (which he has probably been doing since about the age of 6) “All you do is eat, sleep, swim; eat, sleep, swim; eat, sleep, swim.” Give the guy a fucking break. LONDON 2112, RIP BONGS, WIN GOLD. Ignore ridiculous laws that were put in place for no good reason.
The truth is,’ he should be allowed to smoke marajuana if he wants to, just like every other free person !! And they should’nt have to offer anyone any hush money !! Legelize MJ and be done with it. That would immediately create 20 billion dollars in taxes and free who knows how many people from prison, That tax cfeed, cloth and house. Gateway drug my ass!! I bet this destroys all those theories about people can’t function who smoke pot !! 8 golds DEA, put that in your bong and smoke it !!
who cares. slam some more shots and do another bong rip. guys set for life. the olympics need him more then he needs the sport.
Thought they determined cannabis was not performance enhancing, so it’s not banned in the Olympics?
“I won 8 gold medals”
What has Marijuana done for you?
The perfect spokesman for the marijuana movement. Seriously it shows that you can be a cannabis consumer and be productive. This throws at least one negative stereotype out the door.
If its true so what. Everybody knows marijuana is’nt dangerous so yea. its time to get the truth out and legelize
Clinton toked a fattie, then he got blown by one!
Can’t really tell if it’s him but if it is he should’nt be embrassed
millions do the same
I think it’s awesome that Phelps smokes bud, but it absolutely sucks that this fact was revealed in the manner it was. Hopefully Mike won’t be punished too harshly and hopefully this can be turned into positive energy in the movement for decriminalization and legalization.
Michael Phelps for Captain of the U.S. Olympic Bong Hitting Team!
By the way some of you seem unaware that President Obama has admitted to smoking cannabis (AND INHALING!). There is no better role model than that.
It’s likely that the liquor and beer he was “pounding” was more damaging to his health and performance than the bong hits.
This is our guy. You should beat down the door trying to get him to be a spokesperson. America’s golden boy is a toker like you and me? Can it get any better? Change.org/gov = not helpful, Obama’s brother = slightly helpful, CNBC Reports and Nat. Geo. Documentaries = slightly more helpful, Phelps = Super-helpful. This is our chance lets take it. What can I do to help?
I just hope we don’t see him in any anti-drug commercials anytime soon because of this. The last thing he should ever do is publicly deny or regret anything, because the only thing he might actually regret is all the drinking. Pleeeeeeease don’t become a spokesperson for the DEA, Mr. Phelps!
This right here is a prime example of why marijuana is not what the DEA and anti-marijuana advocates say it is. Phelps has won 14 OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALS. Let me repeat that once more for you anti pot morons. 14 GOLD MEDALS. He competed against the best in the world and not only won but broke many previous records. This is proof that the classic, “if you smoke pot you are ruining your future” is complete bullshit. Wake up anti-pot advocates, “A little ganja never hurt no one” (Slightly Stoopid) and that is the truth. This is an opportunity for us to educate the public on the real truths of marijuana and not its old irrational myths. Stay NORML.
You can bet he will be in anti-pot commercials. He has millions in advertisements on the line. Unless he is a first class human being, he will take the low road, and the easy way out.
I am not the one photographed. My sideburns don’t grow like that.
MichaeL Phelps even looks like a Pothead…
He probably swims High all the time
This cited article has to be one of the worst written news pieces in the history of any sort of journalism or sensationalist reporting or muckraking or whatever you would term it. I think NORML should offer its support to Phelps and encourage him NOT to apologize and to stand up and say that he’s human and it’s a plant.
You have to be kidding me. This seems so tabloid, I don’t know what to believe, so I’ll just believe in nothing.
Norml should immediatly approach him for a spokesman position . What are you waitin for ? Are you on the phone yet ? How about now ?
How about now ?
Be our voice Phelps!
So that’s how he scarfed down 25,000 calories… 😉
Wow, 8 gold medal winning Olympian is also a cannabis consumer, where is his commercial John Walters?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-v-santore/
michael-phelps-hypocrasy_b_162939.html
Great story on the matter
Hello Funguymon,
Apparently Phelps has confirmed with the AP, etc…
-Allen
NORML
Phelps acknowledges photo using pot pipe
By PAUL NEWBERRY – 29 minutes ago
Olympic great Michael Phelps acknowledged “regrettable” behavior and “bad judgment” after a photo in a British newspaper Sunday showed him inhaling from a marijuana pipe.
In a statement to The Associated Press, the swimmer who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games did not dispute the authenticity of the exclusive picture published Sunday by the tabloid News of the World.
“I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment,” Phelps said in the statement released by one of his agents. “I’m 23 years old and despite the successes I’ve had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.”
News of the World said the picture was taken during a November house party while Phelps was visiting the University of South Carolina. During that trip, he attended one of the school’s football games and received a big ovation when introduced to the crowd.
While the newspaper did not specifically allege that Phelps was smoking pot, it did say the pipe is generally used for that purpose and anonymously quoted a partygoer who said the Olympic champion was “out of control from the moment he got there.”
The party occurred nearly three months after the Olympics while Phelps was taking a long break from training, and his actions should have no impact on the eight golds he won at Beijing. He has never tested positive for banned substances. The case is unlikely to fall under any doping rules.
Phelps’ main sanctions most likely will be financial — perhaps doled out by embarrassed sponsors who might be reconsidering their dealings with the swimmer.
Phelps was in Tampa, Fla., during Super Bowl week to make promotional appearances on behalf of a sponsor. But he left the city before Sunday’s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals, abandoning his original plan to be at Raymond James Stadium.
The U.S. Olympic Committee said it was “disappointed in the behavior recently exhibited by Michael Phelps,” who was selected the group’s sportsman of the year. He also was honored as AP male athlete of the year, and his feat in Beijing — breaking Mark Spitz’s 36-year-old record for most gold medals in an Olympics — was chosen as the top story of 2008.
“Michael is a role model, and he is well aware of the responsibilities and accountability that come with setting a positive example for others, particularly young people,” the USOC said in a statement. “In this instance, regrettably, he failed to fulfill those responsibilities.”
USA Swimming said its Olympic champions are “looked up to by people of all ages, especially young athletes who have their own aspirations and dreams.”
“That said,” the governing body added, “we realize that none among us is perfect. We hope that Michael can learn from this incident and move forward in a positive way.”
Phelps was part of a group of elite athletes who agreed to take part in a pilot testing program designed to increase the accuracy of doping tests. His spot in the program could be at risk, said Travis Tygart, head of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
“For one of the Olympics’ biggest heroes it’s disappointing, and we’ll evaluate whether he remains in that program,” Tygart said. “But some good education comes from this because he’s going to suffer some penalties.”
Marijuana is viewed differently from performance-enhancing drugs, according to David Howman, executive director of the World Anti-Doping Agency. An athlete is subject to WADA sanctions only for a positive test that occurs during competition periods.
“We don’t have any jurisdiction,” Howman said. “It’s not banned out of competition. It’s only if you test positive in competition.”
Phelps returned to the pool a couple of weeks ago to begin preparations for this summer’s world championships in Rome. He plans to take part in his first post-Olympics meet in early March, a Grand Prix event in Austin, Texas.
This isn’t the first embarrassing episode for Phelps after an Olympic triumph. In 2004, a few months removed from winning six gold and two bronze medals in Athens, the swimmer was arrested on a drunken driving charge at age 19. He pleaded guilty and apologized for the mistake.
In his book “No Limits: The Will to Succeed,” Phelps recounted how his first phone call was to his agent, and not his mother or coach Bob Bowman, because he knew they would yell at him.
Later, he called Bowman, who was supportive but told him, “Michael, just because you want to blow off some steam doesn’t mean you can be an idiot.”
Debbie Phelps, his mother, cried at the news.
“That hurt worse, maybe, than anything,” Phelps wrote. “I had never seen my mother that upset.”
Bowman did not immediately respond to phone and e-mail messages Sunday.
Olympic teammate Dara Torres said Phelps has become such a prominent figure that everything he does is news.
However, she said: “This in no way, shape or form diminishes anything he’s done.”
“It’s sort of a double-edged sword,” Torres told the AP on Sunday. “When you’re recognizable, you’re looked up to as a role model. He is recognizable and everything you do gets looked at and picked apart. I guess that’s the price of winning 14 Olympic medals.”
Jason Lezak, whose remarkable anchor leg of the 400-meter freestyle relay helped Phelps stay on course to break Spitz’s record, said he was “saddened” to hear of the report.
“While I don’t condone his conduct, I am a teammate and fan,” Lezak said in a text message to the AP. “Unlike many fair-weather people, I am sticking by him. If my wife and I can help him in any way, we will. I believe he will grow from this and be better person, role model and teammate.”
Last year, News of the World posted video on its Web site showing Max Mosley, the president of motor racing’s governing body, engaging in sex acts with five prostitutes. Mosley admitted to being a part of the scenario but sued for breach of privacy and was awarded $120,000. Another news break involved Prince Harry in 2002, smoking marijuana and drinking before the legal age of 18.
During the 1998 Nagano Olympics, Canadian snowboarder Ross Rebagliati was stripped of his gold medal in the giant slalom after testing positive for marijuana,. The victory was reinstated because the sport’s governing body did not have a rule banning the substance. Later that year, Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr. drew a three-month suspension after testing positive for pot.
“It’s one of those substances that every year there’s debate over it,” said Howman, the WADA official.
He said U.S. officials and swimming’s world organization, could punish Phelps — perhaps under code of conduct rules — if there is “sufficient evidence to indicate possession, supply or distribution.”
“We have to be strong on these things,” Howman said. “We certainly are relying on those who are responsible to look into this.”
The USOC noted that Phelps acknowledged his mistake and apologized.
“We are confident that, going forward, Michael will consistently set the type of example we all expect from a great Olympic champion,” the group said.
The only reason he is saying its regretable is because he’ll probably loose a bunch of money. Why not grow some balls and say I like to smoke pot and what I do with my own time is my own business. Then go on and say it hasn’t harmed me in any way and I really have never understood why its illegal in the first place. With his stature he could pull a Mohammad Ali and SHAKE UP THE WORLD!!!!
“News of the World” is absolutely ridiculous. That article was so unprofessional and bias. It is clear what the media is attempting to smear Michael Phelps, make him seem like an irresponsible party boy who doesn’t deserve our admiration. He hit a bong at a party WEEKS before Beijing–he didn’t shoot up heroin the night before the Olympics people. I think a little research and a little common sense will completely debunk the “people who smoke pot are lazy/irresponsible” stereotype. There are SO MANY intelligent, hardworking, successful, dynamic people who currently use cannabis or have in the past. Including, most recently, Michael Phelps. This, if not the many other sensible reasons, should be enough to shake the foundations of cannabis prohibition. “Should” being the operative word.
After reading Allen St. Pierre’s update from Associated Press, I just wanted to say I’m incredibly disappointed in Michael Phelps’ statement. This was a golden moment for him to take responsibility for his actions and tell the truth about cannabis, and he clearly blew it. I think his statement is exactly what he was told to say, not what he believes.
Well I guess weed didn’t stand in the way of Phelps achieving.
WOW, Michael Phelps. This guy has to courage and determination to win 8 gold medals and then does something completely normal and APOLOGIZES for it? Why would you let us down Michael Phelps? It’s a shame that he seems to be a conformist. Pitty.
I would sure like to believe that this will help de-bunk the ridiculous elitist ideal perpetuated by the drug control policy folks of sports as an “anti-drug” that keeps us away from “dangerous substances” such as cannabis.
Whatever happened to sports as a way to relax, unwind and have fun?
It is obvious that successful people know pot ain’t gonna hurt them and it’s good to see a guy like Phelps who isn’t afraid of the anti-doping Nazis and the chokehold they have placed on all sporting events, and that he can still manage, on occasion, to enjoy himself in spite of his role model status.
Apologize? What for? People from all walks of life smoke marijuana. Firefighters, teachers, janitors, lawyers, chef’s, actors, cashiers, doctors, police officers, athletes, the list goes on and on. I believe it is silly and in these tough economic times downright irresponsible to criminalize something that could potentially raise billions of dollars in tax revenue per year. There is a reason marijuana is the #1 cash crop, people smoke pot. We are not debating his use of methamphetamine or steroids here, its marijuana. I have found that the majority of people I have spoken with who are passionately against the practice of smoking pot have never smoked it themselves. Therefore their opinions are based on ignorance. You can denounce meth without trying it, that’s acceptable. But in my humble opinion marijuana does not fit its current government classification; its effects are more in the realms of caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. I am kind of upset about this, not that he had his picture taken holding a bong and a sorry tabloid decided to capitalize on the controversy surrounding the issue. It’s the fact that he sold out and did not take advantage of this opportunity. Speak your mind and stand up for what you believe in, that’s a role model.
Phelps is just a big, stupid guy who can swim – so what’s the problem with him smoking pot?
If he happened to be smart and could swim the media wholdn’t be interested.
I agree with Greg. Phelps is going to bend over and start suckin the D*** of whoever holds his career in their hands. I wouldn’t be surprised if we start to see him in anti drug psa’s.
i hate him for saying he’s sorry for smokin 1 hit of ganja.
It’s a shame how the government has kept so many people in the dark. it’s hard to believe in this day and age so many can still be so ignorant about cannabis. The guy is a hero,he has nothing too be ashamed of. The President did it! The guy was at a pary, had been under a lot of stress and saw a bowl and hit it! He wasn’t shooting up or snorting lines; he just took a relaxing hit off a bong. This is perfectly Norml.
I live near Tampa. This morning (2/2/2009) on the Bubba the Love Sponge Show (FM 102.5) he had a paparazzi caller on the show who claims that colleagues of his also saw Phelps at a local club smoking pot in the club. Apparently the club management asked him to leave. Too bad he got busted smoking that bong but it at least got we some press time. It’s good that a hero like Phelps admitted to it, too bad he said he regretted it but I guess you gotta watch your pocketbook.
im a huge steeler fan and just to note our new super bowl MVP Mr. Holmes was held out of game this season for being caught in Pittsburgh with Marijuana. I think it is an athlete taking the high road from opiate use.
Lol who knew Olympic hero would become synanomous with spineless, apologetic coward. He was over rated from the get go he just so happened to be built for swimming that’s all, most our olymipic snowboarders smoke and I’ve yet to hear any of them apologize for it. Atleast the snowboarders have to work hard and risk everything, what’s Phelps really ever risked aside from money and reputation?
Let’s get a campaign started. Let’s get in touch with Mike and encourage him to be honest and not to give in to pressure from anti pot legislators, advertisers and anyone else bent on being a hypocrite.
I say if ANYONE drops Phelps as an endorser because he smoked pot we boycott their products. We should flex a muscle and the muscle attached to the wallet hurts most for these people. (And what better time to do it? In a time of financial “make it or die” the scales can tip with nothing more than a breath.) Who’s with me!?!
If we could muster this level of oneness we can make things happen. If nothing else we can get the media attention. We need nonviolent news time.
If the “far right” can do it to make us do what they want why can’t we do it right back?
why michael shouldn’t have apologized:
http://campusprogress.org/opinions/3589/dont-apologize-michael
Here’s what he SHOULD have said…
http://klogtheblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/letter-to-my-concerned-fans-from.html
Who Care’s if mike phelps smoked a bong every one should be able to do it legally
Phelps is probably the most famous athlete in the world and he is in a great position to promote responsible use of cannabis. Who knows what will happen.. this may turn out to be a positive for Phelps. I’ve already learned something – for instance – I didn’t know Michael Phelps was left handed…
If you want to really spice things up, contact Octagon and let them know that Phelps smoking pot does not bother you or “taint” his image in any way. It definitely doesn’t bother me. As far as role models are concerned, Phelps is still a great role model. He’s dedicated, works hard and plays hard too. Maybe now, parents will be forced to tell their children the truth about cannabis use and still be responsible, sensible contributors to society.
What a horrible article. And the comments of the article have mostly people slamming this poor guys character. I’m trying to bring the norml fight to the comments and educate a little…
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/01/michael.phelps.marijuana/index.html
P.S. I am so sick of the “role model” card. People in this country have a real issue with personal responsibility. Your kids are YOUR responsibility and no matter how many medals he wins it will never be phelps job. You teach your kids and educate them. And at the same time please teach them to leave people alone and let them make their own adult choices with their free time.
I’m very sad he has backed down like this. But I guess weed didn’t turn him into and unmotivated loser… 8 medals is pretty good right?
So far 2 sponsors are standing by his side, although one of them in clearly going down the PC route….
http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/9169788/
Phelps-backed-by-sponsors-after-marijuana-photo?MSNHPHCP>1=39002
Oh, plesae: to all who believe this “story” should even be on such a usually serious site as NORML’s (what “LAWS” are at stake here?) what, if anything does this “prove”? Keep drinking the Kool Aid, Obamabietz….keep getting busted.
Phelps is going to be losing millions of dollars and this will seriously harm his career. However, it may be a real opportunity for NORML and the legalization movement if NORML were to sponsor Phelps. Can you imagine watching Phelps win more gold medals with a pot leaf logo on his suit?
Let’s use this to help our cause.
There wasn’t even any smoke in the chamber of that bong. It was cashed.
Admit nothing Phelps. Make friends with all the olympic class woman’s beach volleyball team members (especially from Jamaica and the Netherlands) and never look back.
You are already a multi-millionaire; and you can beat anyone on earth in a swimming race. Screw the wheaties & nike endorsements. Speak the truth!!
This is great for NORMAL and supporters!!! For one the slanderous news titles across the United States about this picture could make enormous tremors in Congress. Having such a decorated olympian athlete support his use of marijuana but also not clarifying the substance in the picture; just his hobby of smoking marijuana. If we look back at the Federal Case of Poster ‘N’ Things vs. United States you will see that the definition of such ‘water pipe’ is defined by its sellers knowledge of intent to use by consumer. Because they can not intentionally sell smoking paraphanailia for the intent of drug use. This puts a slanderous and defaming description of Phelps on a large scale due to the article title by journalist and News of the World, for the reasoning of not having the base knowledge of the intent of use. Meaning News of the World would have to know that the ‘cannabis pipe’ used by Phelps was bought at a ‘head shop'(where water pipes can be assumed to be used for smoking marijuana) as aposed to a ‘tobacco shop’ to give its legal name of ‘water pipe’ which is used for tobacco use. Al beit Phelps did confess about “USING MARIJUANA” but never commented nor declared that the substance that he was smoking out of the ‘water pipe’ was illegal or legal. Just that his actions we’re wrong for a percieved illegal act. This is why no one in the Olympics has commented or suspended him yet b/c he has never failed a drug test and there is no way of proving what he was smoking in that picture is marijuana. But he could be punished for his admittence to using the “so called drug of marijuana”.
Also, lets keep in mind that this so called informant obviously seemed to be unimpressed by Phelps presents at the event and probably was jealous b/c his girlfriend was giving Phelps to much attention. haha
I don’t blame Mr. Phelps for apologizing for his actions. I think most of us would have done the same thing to maintain our ability to make large sums of money and create a great life style. This kid may be an Olympian – but he is still just a kid and did what he needed to to maintain his life as he knows it.
I did like this blog though
http://www.theagitator.com/2009/02/01/a-letter-id-like-to-see-but-wont/
Wasn’t he the guy on that box of “Weedies”.
It is awful how the media portrays celebs.
The super bowl MVP, santiono Holomes was arrested this fall in Pittsburgh for possession. Maybe weed is a performance enhancing drug.
I am an avid athlete myself whom enjoys running, mountain biking, skiing, hiking, etc. who occasionally enjoys partaking in smoking the herb. Its about time America moves on from the hypocrisy of marijuana prohibition. My state has a mafia handle on liquor and beer sales even going as far and banning other states from shipping wine and beer to my state without first paying a 20 dollar tariff. The nation pedals a pill for every ailment under the sun from boner dysfunction to mood enhancers under multi-billion dollar advertising campaigns. It’s all fine and dandy for America big business to kill our livers and minds with synthetic chemicals yet and person can’t enjoy a herb created by the great maker if they wish too. Legalized, tax it. Win/win
Put your money where your mouth is Read: http://sports.yahoo.com/top/
news?slug=ap-phelps-sponsors&prov=ap&type=lgns. Support the businesses that say ” no big deal “. BOYCOTT those that have dropped him.
I love his bong selection, WAY TO BE A WINNER MICHAEL!!!
One of two things is going to happen:
1. Phelps looses significant amounts (or all) of his sponsorship earnings and decides he has no reason to be a “role model” for a stereotyping, intolerant, and short-sighted nation’s worth of people. He realizes his potential position as an important figure in the paradigm shift towards smart drug policy, and adds one more push to get the ball rolling on legalization. He then becomes a stoner icon.
OR
2. Phelps’ sponsors don’t take away too much money, so he starts sucking corporate tubesteak to keep his image convincingly right-wing-compatible. His self-allowed humiliation would probably include public service announcements, elementary school presentations, and news coverage of elementary school presentations. He watches one such video clip on TV while blazed one day; ashamed of his life and the wasted opportunity to be a stoner icon, he continues to give corporate fellatio and dies tragically at 25 from a sleeping pill overdose.
Unfortunately there are still too many people in our country who are too ignorant to see more than one point of view, especially when it comes to ‘sins of the flesh’; look at the sexual revolution and how long that took to cause a paradigm shift in our culture.
But that will change soon enough for all of us to see it.
Oh yeah, I want a Roor too…
As a pot smoker and former swimmer, I was really glad to find out that Phelps smokes. Of course, then he made his dumbass apology.
In my opinion his apology was the thing that caused him to be any kind of lesser role model.
He apparently enjoys smoking pot. There’s nothing wrong with that. We all know how harmless it is. But he caved because his endorsement deals were in jeopardy.
For the last 70 years this plant has been built up with image that IT is the destroyer of people’s lives so that politicians and pharmaceutical companies could and have made zillions of dollars turning the american people into self-destructive pill-dependent liver-damaging zombies. The surfacing of this image of Michael Phelps goes to show that it is not the plant that destroys lives. Phelps achieved something that no one has ever accomplished, and probably few people have ever dreamt of coming close. This isn’t to say the pot helped him get there, but it certainly proves it did not prevent him from getting there, nor has it destroyed his life as the images, tales, and stereotypes of the last 70 years fed into the minds of the American public and the world have portrayed pot to do so. If Phelps’ life is ruined because of pot, its not the plant, but the people, their ideals, and vexations that will.
Please let us not be herded into condemning Michael Phelps for smoking marijuana.
Michael Phelps as won 14 Olympic gold medals for swimming, he’s the best in the world.
The message that we collectively should absorb from a picture of a world record holding athlete smoking marijuana is that marijuana is not the destructive drug the old J. Edward Hover, and the Ronald Ragan brain washing movements would like us to believe.
It would have be perfectly fine if the photo was of Michael smoking a large cigar, and sipping on a scotch whisky, both known killers.
I sent the above link “a letter I’d like to see” to 50 friends and relatives. Got 6 replies, all negative. Not surprising, but what WAS surprising was the level of paranoia they exibited – in this day and age. “Take me off the list, I’m a life long educator!” was one reply.
Really? What are you teaching?
so fucking what he smoked some pot every1 smokes (or should smoke) damn let the man be
If sponsors decide to penalize Michael Phelps, all weed smokers should boycott those sponsors. Imagine if all smokers boycotted Subway, it might affect their business I have patronized Subway for years, but will start enjoying Quizno’s or other options. There are many other kinds of cereal than Kellogg’s. I will examine all sponsors reactions and adjust my priorities accordingly.
Maybe Mr Phelps was apologizing for the behavior he was accused of besides the pot smoking. They said he was partying super hard, drinking alot, kind of loving all the attention he was getting, etc… I don’t know about all of you but I’ve been ashamed of my behavior at some parties even if what I was doing was something I’d do again in a more moderate fashion. Let’s not condemn him, he’s still young with alot to offer our cause as well as aspiring pothead athletes everywhere. Perhaps in the future he WILL be willing to become a spokesperson for NORML.
well, now the Sherriff wants to flex his muscles and be a ballbreaker:
http://www.newsday.com/sports/ny-spphelps02,0,6399309.story
Blah to anyone condoning his apology if he won’t stand up and be a “real man” about his actions he shouldn’t have any influence on anyone in this land or any other. I’ve admited to smoking when I go in for job interviews every since I started, if I can’t be who I am there and my mental health is that unimportant then I really don’t need that job anyway. If he’s so damned ashamed of smoking weed he shouldn’t do it, because his indecisiveness will only hurt the cause and we’ve already had enough hinderances. No one pass to PHELPS!
I wrote my best music stoned. Ask any great artist why pot is a great aid in opening up the mind to creativity. Its 2009 people!! TIME TO LEGALIZE NATURE’S GIFT TO MANKIND….I cant stand one more second of hypocracy over pot anymore..LETS STAND UP AND BE COUNTED FELLOW POTHEADS!!!
So What.
Big Deal.
He’s a young guy let him live his life. There’s too many cameras around now day’s, Kids taken pictures of Kids is gettin outa hand. Somebody stop it. (parents)
Ya know….I used to just read and never post my own views or thoughts. But,Uhmm, Fawk that!!! MP, his gold medals, and the rest of U stoners, have inspired my need to thro 2 cents in. So here it is: *AHEM* The Boo-DA is Goo-DA =}~~
OH yea, and Norml needs to get that gold medal winning Pothead up to a microphone stand…. real Quick-a-tilly!
Here it is—-KELLOGG’s # [212] 687-1980
Demand to vote on the pot issue and solve this ignorance immediatly. Before we as a nation move any further on any issue first solve this. Vote on it, see the landslide results and change the laws. America is the leader in drug USE, America smokes pot.. get over it. Remove those in office who support pot as crime and replace them with intelligent, non greedy humans. Or eventaully chaos will insue and it will be pitchforks and torches. Your choice people
I Love Phelps!
http://blog.spencerlord.com/2009/02/
phelps-becomestacit-propagandist-beaten.html
bong hits 4 jesus, zong hits 4 zeus!
Not a hero but a wimp. Like everything else this issue is backwards. Phelps is part of the problem. He did not stand up for himself, if fact he threw all users right under the bus of prohibition. I thought I saw him cry over this. He should swim with the women