Michael Phelps, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush: Marijuana Role Models

Comments (81)
February 12, 2009

No one cares that Barack Obama used marijuana, why should Michael Phelps be treated differently?

The opinions expressed below by our viewers and posters do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Marijuana Policy Project. These views are those of the individual authors alone. MPP does not condone or support the illegal use of marijuana. We do encourage open and frank discussion, but if a comment has been posted that is in some way significantly inappropriate, please e-mail us at socialnetwork@mpp.org to report it. Thank you, and we're looking forward to what you think!

81 Comments, Comment or Ping

Mark

Wait a minute!!!!!!!!

There is no need to include the Bushchimp here. Using him as an example of a pot smoker ? That’s not a good idea. You might as well include Charlie Manson then, because they were bother murderers.

Feb 12th, 2009
John

How ’bout GW? George Washington!

Feb 14th, 2009
Aaron Winter

Overblown Taboo.

Marijuana fear mongers.

It’s time to be all. It’s time to be free.

Hemp will solve the economic turmoil.

No more need for tedious arguancy.

The need to act is more important than the need to contemplate.

Reason is a gift of diplomacy.

Feb 14th, 2009
Gary

Let’s face it, all kinds of people use marijuana, people one likes and people one doesn’t like. It shouldn’t be a big deal for anyone. Media likes to jump on stuff and beat it to death. I think it’s a product of the 24 hr news format.

Feb 14th, 2009
groucho

Someone explain to me how Phelps can have a DUI on his record already and Kellogg’s doesn’t care, but associate him with marijuana and he’s suddenly a danger to the world and a horrible role model for kids and they drop him. Am I missing something here?

Feb 14th, 2009
Susan

Wonderful and right on point. Many productive and successful lives include Marijuana. When will this puritanical country realize that this is more ridiculous and as uncontrolable as prohibition.

Feb 14th, 2009
Tee Smokey

The whole thing stinks as it should. If true progress is to be made we need to dismiss forever the MJ tax act bill from the 1930’s, whoa did I say the 30’s? My grandparents weren’t even born! It all started with DuPont and the fight for paper rights, that why hemp was outlawed so there was no competition in the US paper industry. A side from that point, keep smoking and FUCK THE POLICE that still treat pot smokers as criminals!

If we all look really hard – you must realize that it all plays into ultimate control of the people by the elite. Good forbid we can grow our own and make supplies, food, fuel for my car, etc… They can’t fight it forever – Viva La Pot!

Feb 14th, 2009
Larry Karigan-Winter

I believe this episode will further the awakening of America. At some point, someone in the highest office will stop this madness and focus on the real social problems in our country. Kellog making this mistake further’s that focus. It’s getting close. Keep up your good work. All of us bear the brunt of the country’s ongoing mis-guided drug policy. Now we have a man from Seattle in front with a fresh young president. Maybe now will be our time. Ride this travesty of Phelps’ slamming as far as you can. It’s another moment in time. You’re efforts are making mainstream media. Keep repeating the truth and people will flock to this cause. Americans love Phelps. He’s a hero.

Feb 14th, 2009
pax

hopefully Obama will push aggressively to change these laws as they are some the most hypocritical of this country– Phelps was really nailed ot the wall unfairly and the person who submitted that photo is a total letch!!

Feb 14th, 2009
Rose Ann

Good! And it was important to include Bush so the “religious right” will find it difficult to disagree,

Events are converging. The court has now ordered California to reduce its prison population by many thousands. Seems to me that marijuana/cannabis prohibition is getting ready to crumble.

Rose Ann

Feb 14th, 2009
Lorraine

Most of what I have read across the internet supports Michael and thinks pot prohibition is dumb.

Is it ever! What a waste of time and resources. The “legal” drug lords would rather I take ocycontin for pain?

Fix the economy by legalizing pot and taxing it.
Go MPP! I luv you guys.

Feb 14th, 2009
James Martin

I agree. Using Bush the Monkey says “Pot is bad for your brain”. He is an idiot. I will chalk it up to his cocaine and alcohol abuse.

Feb 14th, 2009
Harmony

There are many travesties in life. The reaction to Phelps’ usage is as idiotic as burning “witches” at the stake. Look at him! There’s nothing wrong with him! He’s living proof that you can live a healthy, balanced life that includes pot. I’m so sorry for him, and anyone else that has suffered ridiculously over mj. There is a small handful of wealthy tyrants that control this country – we are not so different from the rest of the world. Hopefully, our new President can do something to stop this trainwreck legislation.
In the meantime, I will pray for the sad soul that revealed the video that has taken Mike’s rewards for all that hard work. However, some good can come of this for the movement: a recognition of pot – for what it is – for all the goods it can do – and for the legalization of it.
Soooooooooo sorry Michael

Feb 14th, 2009
Eseris

To Mark about the “Bushchimp” (LOL, btw). . .I think the idea was to portray both a Dem and a Rep that had used marijuana by using our current and last Prez.

Feb 14th, 2009
A Piper

It’s wrong to say nobody cares – I care a whole bunch that this hypocrisy persists! Cannabis is a plant, a gift of the creator and we should all be able to interact with her as we please.

At least Michael was using a water bong so to limit any heat or particle damage to his fantastic lungs. Prohibition inhibits the development of less damaging methods of cannabis consumption. Some one needs to get him a vaporizer!

TAX POT – fund national health care!

Feb 14th, 2009
Helen Santiago

On the one hand, the criminalization of pot is a silly and tiresome issue. In terms of health hazards, alcohol and cigarettes are far more addictive and dangerous. As a “gateway drug” leading to harder drugs, the far more common factor that correlates with addiction is the milk we all consume in childhood. Other countries, that sensibly regulate pot and/or tax its sale in the way we tax cigarettes, don’t suffer from widespread “reefer madness” or the problems with heroin/cocaine addiction that our legislators are so fearful of. Prohibition of a substance is counterproductive and has been shown to increase, rather than decrease, its desirability.

On the other hand, our criminalization of pot has led to the disasters of prison overcrowding, overcrowding of court dockets, costs both to people’s lives and productivity, and to the waste of our precious tax dollars. The war on drugs would be a smaller, cheaper war if it focused on “hard” drugs.

The war on alcohol, Prohibition, ended when we realized and accepted the fact that it wasn’t effective, was costly, fostered criminal activity and drove people to consume illegal alcohol that was often deadly.

Public figures who have been open about their pot use should be seen as advocates or models for its acceptance. If they can achieve greatness despite the use of a banned, and supposedly dangerous and disabling substance, maybe we’re making much more of a fuss about pot than is warranted.

Feb 14th, 2009
strong right wing leftist

the question here should be has he considered an educated use of the herb or is he just out going around with what comes around. it ani’t all that deep boy’s. look at the drug use of or founders of america’s modern era. edison stayed up for days and weeks ,,, untill he decided when enough amphetmines had been used to warrant a nice dose of this new “herion” pack with needles over the counter across the nation. so lets discredit all these pro players for really cleaning up the wide spead use of powerful drugs from the “old school” and now when a youth is caught with a bong lets crucify him instead of proving by investagations already done a highly affective analgesic that isn’t part of the “high” has been isolated and the guy that has put himself through the full training needed for achiving what michael phelps has he may take comforts from the use that even he himself at this young age isn’t aware of yet. come on obama if your not going to go kuill osama at least decriminalize marajuana and various products of other ingestable form containing extracts from said herb,, tax it and lets get on with the more important matters at hand.

Feb 14th, 2009
strong right wing leftist

oh yeah,,, happy valenines for the folks that read this.

Feb 14th, 2009
Joe Rivera

The fact is that Barack Obama and George W. Bush…Never won any Olympic Medals.. and with that being said….I think it sales newspapers in a corrupted goverment that is a pretty much blindsided to facts..dealing with Marijuana..If they were able to strip him of those Medal he won.. they would, but they can’t and won’t…Michael Phelps, You are a Role Model”

Feb 14th, 2009
tintala

Call the sheriff associated with the tyranny. I did and left a message, I also emailed him. I emailed kellogs many times. Right now our economy is in such bad shape, that we have a gold mine waiting to be utilized but yet, the government will not acknowledge it. Hemp should be have been legal to farm 75 years ago, but now that we need it BAD? IT should be legal yesterday, I know in my heart and mind that hemp will build and bolster a failing economy. But thanks to DUPONT and Henry Anslinger, we are STILL fighting the propaganda they indoctrinated into our GULLABLE country years ago. Now we aint so gullable. With the shape we’re in, I guess it’s gona take a major financial catastrophe to enligthen the DEA and government to take the step that will inevitably happen. Cannabis has been there all along.

Feb 14th, 2009
Gayla

The real criminals are the legislators that are ignorant of the major positive impact that medical marijuana has on cancer patients. I know, because I’ve been there and watched patients at Baylor Hospital regain their appetite and loosen the pain somewhat. I totally agree with Lorraine that the legal powers would rather “drug up” mothers with Vicodin, Oxycontin, or valium and let them handle their kids and problems thru a drug induced fog. Let’s get ‘em hooked on “legal” drugs and then we’ll make $$$$ when we send ‘em to rehab. What truly amazes me is that in this economic crisis, the hot shots in the Republican party still hang on to their broken idologies; I say let’s make it legal and tax it. Works for me!

Feb 14th, 2009
Carol

There are a lot of things out there worse than Mary Jane, many of them prescribed. We all know of doctors who will give powerful addictive drugs at the drop of a hat. It makes money for them. Some of them get caught! The so-called “War on Drugs” is similar to Bush’s “War on Terror”. It’s a way to oppress and misuse the masses and make money for the fat cats. I see why you included Bush in your film, but he’s really not a role model for anything…more of a poster child for what not to do. Keep calling for investigations and prosecutions of the Bush regime.

Feb 14th, 2009
Roy Holcombe

Legalize pot and regulate and tax it like we do cigarettes and alcohol would help immensely with the economic crunch we are in. Plus, we need to stop putting people in jail for using a substance much safer than both cigarettes and alcohol. The use of cigarettes has dropped by 50% through education and not by putting people in jail. It is time we come out of the stone age and reefer madness when it comes to the use of marijuana. Stop the hypocrisy now. You promised change Obama so now put your actions where your mouth is.

Feb 14th, 2009
Lisa

Michael Phelps does not desreve all this greif !!! The man won all those GOLD metals. People just want to stirr up shit. They say misry loves company .To that butthole who took those pic’s of him. You SHOULD be ashamed of yourself!. I totally support mike !!!!!

Feb 14th, 2009
Diana Falciani

The era that we live in now is so different from even a generation ago. Thankfully, everyone has rights…animal rights and gay rights, for instance.
Why in the world can’t we have the right to take something that is given to us from the ground? with No processing! It is only to be plucked from a branch, for heaven’s sake! It’s ludicrous that our government even has a say in it!

And as for the concept of legalilzing and taxing marijuana to help get our country out of our financial mess, well, don’t even get me started!

Feb 14th, 2009
nicole

i agree with a previous post..decriminalization could solve our economic crisis. alcohol is far worse. it’s time to get real.

Feb 14th, 2009
Phyllis

I smoked pot from the age of 13. I detested cigarettes but enjoyed the mild high and soothing affect on monthly cramps. I made Deans List in college and went on to run my own successful business. Mike Phelps is a the best in the world and deserves the same freedom to indulge in harmless and often beneficial effects of marijuana. It is time for our leaders to wake up to the truth and return once again to the Republic our founding fathers created for us. Putting people in jail for the use of drugs is a national tragedy.
I do feel at this point that politicians are too frightened to stand up to the violent drug cartels they have allowed to flourish and grow powerful in order to legalise it.. It has come back to bite them in the ass. Look at the murders and beheadings happening over drug turf in Mexico. Totally out of control. “No Country for Old Men” indeed.

Feb 14th, 2009
Karl

“I hope that time isn’t too distant; the illegality of cannabis is outrageous, an impediment to full utilization of a drug which helps produce the serenity and insight, sensitivity and fellowship so desperately needed in this increasingly mad and dangerous world.” — Carl Sagan

Feb 14th, 2009
Barb

Another role model:

“Two of my favorite things are sitting on my front porch smoking a pipe of sweet hemp, and playing my Hohner harmonica.”
– Abraham Lincoln

True Fact !!!

Feb 14th, 2009
Beth

My first reation to the Michael Phelps situation was ‘Who cares’. It is absolutely rediculous to make such a big deal out of it. Millions of successful people smoke weed and it doesn’t affect anything they do. It’s time to come out of the stone ages!!!

Feb 14th, 2009
James Baglio

ARIZONA is prepped, well equipped with and ready to get busy for MPP!!

VIDEO Blog:

My intitial reaction, was to laugh….so I did. Followed by anger,embarassment, and sympathy…so again I must laugh. $780 Billion. Laugh….puff,puff -hahahahha! I guess that why they call it entertainment….laugh…laugh….cough cough..A.K.A. Chong see ya at the Little Creek in Shelton, WA.

I repeat:

ARIZONA is prepped, well equipped with and ready to get busy for MPP!!

ARIZONA is prepped, well equipped with and ready to get busy for MPP!!

JB

Feb 14th, 2009
Kramer

Are we going to campaign for the legalization of cannabis? The time seems right for a full court press for finally getting the laws changed. The Internet should be used for millions of us to lobby Congress and the White House to change the laws. I feel an opportunity will be missed if the focus is on just calling the law silly and urge that it should be ignored instead of eliminated. This is our moment for change! Let’s act together today.

Feb 14th, 2009
Kramer

Just a reminder that 700,000 Americans are arrested each year for simple possession. The law is harming many people and costing atx payers enormous amounts of money which we no longer can afford. Let’s change it once and for all.

Feb 14th, 2009
CEO,citizens,eyes,open

In the mean time, while we get some leaders who are not making money from the drug laws, one powerful tool we can use is the jury system and the power it hands to us as citizens.Everyone sitting on a jury has the legal right to find the defendent not guilty, no matter what the judges or anyone else tells you. It only takes one jurror to stall or stop a trial. If thinking citizens refused to vote guilty in pot/drug cases then the law is rendered useless, if the dam government started to lose every case it brought forth the laws would soon go away. As for me sitting on a jury, I would vote not guilty even if they killed someone if they were charged with a stupid drug crime. Anyone facing drug charges should not take any kind of deal but demand a jury trial, then make your case to them, hopefully their will be at least one informed and thinking person on the jury, I believe most people know that all this drug stuff is nothing but crap, but are scared they will be on the wrong side of “public opinon”, the magical being forbid. My son thought reefer maddness was made as a comedy film and did not believe me when I told him that it was not, well thats all for me today, I feel like stealing or commiting a rape or two so I guess I’LL smoke a little “reefer” to get things started.CEO,citizens ,eyes,open.

Feb 14th, 2009
Bruce

I salute you for taking a stand for Michael Phelps. I wish more people would.

BUT (a big but)…. this video/commercial is a pretty weak stand.
All you could say is “Why?” when it got to Michael Phelps???

I was like, Uhhh is this a joke?

Guys/Girls.. you need to do a better job of making your points. This is an all-out debate we’re in w/ the anti-marijuana folks. You’ve got to rise to the occasion w/ some better material and present the argument in a way that does justice to the cause.

As an above commenter said, take Bush out of this… he’s gone.. done.. over.. OUT OF THE PICTURE. If anything, he weakens this video more than ending on “Why?”.

Michael Phelps just got done breaking multiple Olympic records.. and he is joked about to have the lung capacity of a dolphin. So if he smokes marijuana, while also having the motivation, determination, discipline AND LUNG CAPACITY to break all of these records, then how can Marijuana be a harmful and damaging thing?!

So the point I’m trying to make here is that you guys should be defending Marijuana, WHILE defending Phelps… not the other way around.

He needs people to take a stand for him, but HE ALSO needs to take a stand for marijuana (which he didn’t – he backed down and said it was “poor judgement”). I understand why he said that (intense peer-pressure) but if he were taking this stand for marijuana and not cowering, he would be easier to defend.

Feb 14th, 2009
Brian

The legislators are against marijuana untill a loved one gets cancer then they think it is a wonder drug, legislators for the most part are waste of a life, just like Bush the killer,,,I hope Michael Phelps helps to open up close minded two faced peoples minds.

Feb 14th, 2009
Marie

I have a friend in his 70’s and he was a heavy alcohol user most of his life. 13 years ago it almost destroyed his liver and his life but he made it and never has taken another drink. He can not use pain medications without compromising his liver so he uses marijuana when his aging body is in pain. It is not addictive and will not destroy any of his organs. And it does not alter his personality in any way. Why not legalize it with regulations the same as the poison alcohol????

Feb 14th, 2009
Paul

Bruce hit the nail on the head:
In order for Phelps to regain his credibility, and for cannabis to take its proper place in society, he needs to take a stand with us, for what he believes in. Backing down with, “I was a naughty boy. I’m so sorry, and I won’t do it again. Please don’t take away my endorsements” does nothing but harm everyone, while strengthening the anti-MJ movement.
Sorry, Michael, but you have to be a man about it.

Feb 14th, 2009
kirk

amen!

Feb 14th, 2009
Nina

It just goes to show that you can still smoke pot and be an olympic champion. Bet you couldn’t do that as an alchoholic. The only reason they pick on Phelps is because he has made it to the top. They always want to pick on the ones who are on top. My question as always is”Who would you rather get a ride home with? The guy who had 5 shots of tequila or the guy whosmoked 5 hits of pot?

Feb 14th, 2009
Brandon

the point here is not that Bush is a murderer or an idiot. Its that he smoked pot and people still loved him and voted him into preisidency. I think the fact that everyone is making such a stink over Micheal Phelps smoking is ridiculous. Unfortunately we live in the United States where most of the morals and rules of this country are still the same as the were in 1910. America. We live in a box.

Feb 14th, 2009
Scott

The war on Marijuana is a pathetic and ridiculous attempt by fear mongers and those that still beleive that “reefer madness” is actually true ! Michael Phelps an international hero and role model one minute, and the scurge of america the next ? how much sense does any of this make ? It is time for american politicians to realize that the images from a tv show putting a group of whacked out teens in a circle sharing an unseen joint or bong is no more reality than solving a major crime and prosecuting the offenders in under 60 minutes is. Wake the hell up !
my 2nd point is in reaction to an earlier post that seems to blame the police for marijuana prohibition. You need to wake up as well. the police are simply doing there job, following orders. it is the makers of the law that should be publically chastised. I personally have several freinds in various parts of law enforcement who either smoke or refuse to make pot arrests. I say these men and woman are some of the heros in the war on marijuana ignorance.

Feb 14th, 2009
RICHARD RALPH ROEHL

Greetings Comrades! Allow me to inhale to the Chief… and salute YOU folks in lieu of EWE folks.

Feb 14th, 2009
Marie

….With his many Olympic Gold Metals he shows how positive and deeply his behavior and dedication run. Would it not be better to show the youth of today that whatever they do in their lives must be done with careful thought, responsibility and concern for their current and future conditions. I find it sad that someone as strong and determined as Michael Phelps, can not show the blind world of today that …given a choice…..people would not stay home sitting on their couch just because they simply smoked a little marijuana. Instead . . the children of today are reaching out for hard drugs because it is less likely to be found in randon tests….tests to search out and convict “marijuana” users and not those who are more deadly to themselves and others.

Feb 14th, 2009
EZ Rider

Hey Tee Smokey, I have one point to make to you. The police aren’t necessarily the bad guys. No, it’s really the legislators who craft the laws. All the police do is enforce laws written by legislators. They’re just doing their jobs. Rule of law is a good thing, we just need to change the law. It’s our legislators who have failed us on this issue. Legalize!

Feb 14th, 2009
Mandy

Here’s to all of you who recognize MJ prohibition for what it is: wasteful. It wastes “human capital” when we need all we can get! The war on drugs is a miserable failure with enormous negative fallout. It also costs a fortune that could go to universal health care, along with the tax revenue from the sale of legalized weed. I’m ready to grow my own which is my right as a US citizen!

Feb 14th, 2009
ThomasBlixa

Why is michael Phelps being singled out for smoking marijuana.? It has been de-criminilized in many states and I ask you, Is this worth arresting the man.?
No, It is not. The Federal Government is simply using him as a patsy, To say if you use marijuana, this is what is going to happen to you.!!
Michael Phelps needs a good lawyer to represent him in this matter.
Alcohol is 1000 times more deadly that marijuana will ever be.
I t is way past time to get beyond this 1950’s mentality that if you use marijuana you will become a drug addict and a bad person.
It’s time to put all the BS aside and at the very least legalize MEDICAL ARIJUANA.!!!!!!!!

Feb 14th, 2009
Green Feather Lynne

i wonder how many corporate level employees of Kellogg’s light up some weed now and then???

they’re a bunch of total hypocrites!

it’s time to set things right in this country and get these archaic laws off the books for all our sakes. there’s more sanity in marijuana than in alcohol and it has medical benefits, as well.

Feb 14th, 2009
Paul J. von Hartmann

Marijuana: Gateway to the White House…

Here’s a European perspective on what Michael Phelps should have said:

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.
> >
> >
> >
> > I
> > put myself through hell. I make my body do things nature
> > never really intended
> > us to endure. All world-class athletes do. We do it
> > because you love to watch
> > us push ourselves as far as we can possibly go. Some of
> > us get hurt.
> > Sometimes permanently. You’re watching the Super Bowl
> > tonight. You’re
> > watching 300 pound men smash each other while running at
> > full speed, in full
> > pads. You
> > know what the average life expectancy of an NFL player
> > is? Fifty-five.
> > That’s about 20 years shorter than your average non-NFL
> > player. Yet you
> > watch. And cheer. And you jump up spill your beer when a
> > linebacker lays out
> > a wide receiver on a crossing route across the middle.
> > The harder he gets
> > hit, the louder and more enthusiastically you scream.
> >
> >
> >
> > Yet
> > you all get bent out of shape when Ricky Williams, or I,
> > or Josh Howard smoke a
> > little dope to relax. Why?
> > Because the idiots you’ve elected to make your laws
> > have, without a
> > shred of evidence, beat it into your head that smoking
> > marijuana is something
> > akin to drinking antifreeze, and done only by dirty
> > hippies and sex
> > offenders.
> >
> >
> >
> > 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.
> >
> >
> >
> > Here’s
> > a crazy thought: If I can smoke a little dope and go on
> > to win 14 Olympic
> > gold medals, maybe pot smokersaren’t doomed to lives of
> > couch
> > surfing and video games, as our moronic government would
> > have us believe. In fact, the list of successful pot smokers
> > includes not just
> > world class athletes like me, Howard, Williams, and
> > others, it includes Nobel
> > Prize winners, Pulitzer Prize winners, the last three
> > U.S. presidents,
> > several Supreme Court justices, and luminaries and
> > success stories from all
> > sectors of business and the arts, sciences, and
> > humanities.
> >
> >
> >
> > So
> > go ahead. Ban me from the next Olympics. Yank my
> > endorsement deals. Stick
> > your collective noses in the air and get all indignant on
> > me. While
> > you’re at it, keep arresting cancer and AIDS patients
> > who dare to smoke
> > the stuff because it deadens their pain, or enables them
> > to eat. Keep sending in goon squads to kick
> > down doors and shoot little old ladies, maim innocent
> > toddlers,
> > handcuff elderly post-polio patients to their beds at
> > gunpoint, and slaughter the family pet.
> >
> >
> >
> > Tell
> > you what. I’ll make you a deal. I’ll apologize for
> > smoking pot
> > when every politician who ever did drugs and then voted
> > to uphold or
> > strengthen the drug laws marches his ass off to the
> > nearest federal prison to
> > serve out the sentence he wants to impose on everyone
> > else for committing the
> > same crimes he committed. I’ll apologize when the sons,
> > daughters, and
> > nephews of powerful politicians who get caught possessing
> > or dealing drugs in
> > the frat house or prep school get the same treatment as
> > the no-name, probably
> > black kid caught on the corner or the front stoop doing
> > the same thing.
> >
> >
> >
> > 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 how the greatest motherfucking swimmer the
> > world has ever seen…is also a proud pot smoker.

> > Yours,

> > Michael
> > Phelps

Feb 14th, 2009
Green Feather Lynne

BRAVO, Paul J. von Hartmann. Very well stated.

Feb 14th, 2009
Marsha CRTT, COLT

..No one cares that Barack Obama used marijuana, why should Michael Phelps be treated differently?
On the other hand we should boycot Kelloggs anyway, because cunsumption of those artificially flavored chemically altered sugar fat puffs are leading to childhood obesity!
Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
Legalize, regulate and educate!

Feb 14th, 2009
John Coleman

Educated on the front lines, these intelligent and enlightened police officials AGREE with the majority represented in this blog.
Found this site very interesting…
LEAP Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

http://www.leap.cc/cms/index.php

This could be a defining moment for this movement.
A chance for us to live simple, ordinary lives.
Oh yeah, cops would “serving and protecting” again.
In other words, our friends.
Wow!
Am hoping everyone is up to the “Olympic” effort it will take to defend Phelps.
He is going to need our help.
We need petitions going to the authorities trying to prosecute Phelps indicating we have more respect for Phelps than we have for the “Authorities” and Phelps should be free from fear of persecution.
We need a website where people can have a snail-mail letter sent to television news offices.
People handle E-mail barrages with filters, snail-mail bears more notice.
Hmmm, A national referendum on Marijuana Policy in 2009, yeah.
A website where one could “buy votes”, votes would be snail-mail letters to Obama for $1.
Wonder how many “votes” could be delivered in one day after six months of warehousing?
Bet there would be truckloads…probably could get a bulk rate.

Or, we could send letters individually for about 50 cents but we would need to send mail simultaneously for best effect. Maybe the letters should be delivered to Congress at a photo-opportune moment or on a national holiday.

JC

“They must find it difficult…
Those who have taken authority as the truth,
rather than truth as the authority.”

– Gerald Massey ~ Egyptologist

Feb 15th, 2009
Sandy

You hear television advertisements for antidepressants and now for more medication that will enhance your antidepressant. Along with these ads, the side effects are spelled out. The commercial is approximately 35 seconds long with approximately 25 seconds attributed to the name of the medication and what it does and the remaining 45 seconds attributed to the horrible side-effects that include several organs being affected, seizures, and even death resulting from using it. What is wrong with that? When you could use marijuana and have NO threatening side effects?

Feb 15th, 2009
Sandy

sorry…the time issue of my post is messed up. The commercial is approximately 60 seconds long with 25 seconds attributed to the benefits and 35 seconds stating the negative side effects.

Feb 15th, 2009
mike johnson

he’s now qualified to be president, JFK, Clinton, Bush, and Obama have lowered the bar. the govt. saying pot is bad is a joke, remember VIOXX, BEXTRA, and CELEBREX? all govt approved at one time till people started having health issues. untill polititions profit from it, you won’t see it decriminalized. Maybe with the phelps issue we can drug and alcohol test all the senate and house?

Feb 15th, 2009
sahibx

He may have Gold medals But if he does not stand up for his Rigth to be Free? Then Why wound you want to “Be Like Michael”?

Feb 15th, 2009
JOAN

IF ALL THE MONIES SPENT ON PURCHASING POT WAS GOING TO THE GOVERNMENT WE COULD SOLVE OUR FINANCIAL PROBLEMS.
WOULDN’T THAT BE A KICK.
IT’S A WASTE TO TRY TO GOVERN ILLEGAL POT. PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO USE AND ENJOY.
FOR GODS SAKE, THE FEDS WON’T EVEN LET LEGAL SMOKERS GET POT……..MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS SUPPOSED TO BE LEGAL IN CALIFORNIA BUT THEY STILL BUST THESE PLACES???????
IT’S A “CRIMING” SHAME.

Feb 15th, 2009
Murray Frith, Ph.D.

It’s best not tto use such absolutes as “no one, or everyone”, which are untrue anyway & therefore misleading & makes those stating it look untrustworthy in certain ways. Rather go with “many”, or “most people”,or “hypocrites” etc….

Feb 15th, 2009
Laura Schlegel

Just goes to show you the wide range of users of an “illegal” plant…how can a plant be illegal? I know alcohol causes diseases and kills…has this plant ever caused disease or killed anyone? Folks have prescriptions for much more dangerous meds…what’s the justification of these raids?
If people are going to do certain things anyway, let’s regulate and use a portion of the proceeds to educate our society on responsible social drinking/smoking and reality/science based pro/cons of both.

Feb 15th, 2009
Auden L. Grumet, Esq.

I concur with the general sentiment that marijuana use should be decriminalized and that Phelps was doing nothing “wrong” if and when he smoked it – and many people and much of the press is certainly giving him a much harder time than he deserves. WHEN will Americans direct their energies towards more relevant and important matters?

ALG

Feb 15th, 2009
greengiant63

Have we not anything, better to do than, ruin a young mans rep. Like, none of us, has ever, done that. “Oh please!! WAKE UP AMERICA!! Marijuana, is all natural, and is on this earth, for our use. Its not man made, it grows naturally. So lay off, and find something more constructive, to do with your time. They say, “WHAT COMES AROUND, GOES BACK AROUND”, boy, would I hate to be you. You should be more pissed ,about someone getting drunk, cuz alcohol causes you to wreck your car, where as weed, doesn’t. Marijuana, is by far, better for you, than prescription drugs, or anything else out there offered. Anyhow, it’s time to put it to rest. ~ANGELS~all around us, JC

Feb 16th, 2009
Jared

Great video! And it makes a great point as well.

We should also remember that Kellogg’s didn’t drop Mr. Phelps for his DUI charge….only for the bong photo.

Nice double standard there – go ahead and drive drunk as we don’t care….but have your photo taken with a bong and you’re out!

Feb 16th, 2009
Mark Tele

I don’t expect Mr. Phelps to accept the “impossible mission” of getting the Herb legalized all by himself. It will take teamwork – like the 400 relay. There are many people profiting from keeping the Herb illegal, but we can beat them. We need to encourage all the high profile smokers of the green to get vocal. What a team. Mr. Phelps, Kareem, Santonio, Jack Nicholson, Ricky Williams, there are so many… Boycot Kellogg’s. Limit your use of pharmaceuticals, cigarettes, alcohol. Remember what the #1 issue on Obama’s change.org was… & #3… & #13 – don’t let him forget. I’m tired of being discriminated against when applying for employment – If I smoked the Herb within 3 weeks, I’m out, no matter how good I am. Some pill poppin alco might get the job… and that’s just fine with corporate Amerika. Things have to change. Some of the most intelligent, most athletic & most spiritual people I know smoke the Herb. The world will be a better place when it’s legal.

Feb 16th, 2009
Eric Pratt

just more stupid people with their thumbs up their asses. hypocrisy rules the day when it comes to pot smoking and unless you’re one of the guys who isn’t supposed to be doing it who does it and makes it ok as long as nobody knows about it except their other closet pot smoking friends, you’re SOL. still, by this statement, Phelps would fit that description, him being an athlete and all. Phelps is supposed to represent the status quo by being an olympic athlete, and therefore a symbol of the good ol’ wholesome American image. the republican’s boy, even though he may not be republican and if he is, ARR! ARR! (that means laughter) more exposed hypocrisy. don’t say he smokes it unless you’ve got some, and like that. Obama is black and a democrat and the prudes feel they’ve lost but they still got hope in our good ol’ American athletes and that is why they jump on Phelps. he’s supposed to represent Bush (the bad bush), mom n apple pie, red neck, white sheet, blue nose, healthy sports, not Weedies the breakfast of “chumpions” (remember that back in the day of junior high school, kiddies? it’s all about propoganda)! and who represents coporations and businesses, which Kellogg’s is? FUCKING REPUBLICAN ASSHOLES LIKE BUSH! who sponsors sports like the olympics? corporations and cereals like Wheaties and Kellogg’s of course! and what do Bush, republicans, asshole dickhead cops out to bust potheads wish to make Americans conform to and support? fucking jocks. be good and support the yuppies and the jocks and the cops and the vets and the republicans, man, and don’t smoke pot or the cops will definitely bust YOU! Phelps’ only mistake was that he got caught before pot became legal and his being an athlete means his wholesome American status quo image is blown. cornflake America already gave up on democrats, Clinton, and Obama a long time ago. I wish they’d give up on us all period. thank you

Feb 18th, 2009
Sarah

The real travesty here is that Michael was using a bong. Michael, don’t you know that bongs are actually worse for your health than joints or vaporizers? If you really want to maximize the THC you ingest and minimize the tar, then get a freakin’ vape, man! Protect your lungs! Don’t waste your weed!

Feb 18th, 2009
Sam

It amazes me how many American’s share the feeling their rights have been infringed, while criminal penalties get more and more stiff with each year that passes. When did we allow our right to choice, our ability to run our country as we, the majority, see fit, when did we surrender the rights and beliefs that made this country so great? Almost daily my rights are pushed aside for whatever religious fancy is chic at the time. My ancestry is Native American, I am proud of my heritage, how can this country, founded on the respect for all religions, demonize & criminalize my beliefs which harm no one? As for Mr.Phelps, where has the media been concerning a Yankee and his ability to sell shaving products? It is a slippery slope we are on people.

Feb 18th, 2009
Kevin Bowler

I’d like to make a word choice suggestion.

I’ve been using the phrases “enjoying the influence of marijuana” and “enjoy marijuana” for years rather than “under the influence of marijauna” or “use marijuana”.

I’ve never considered myself a “user” – I’ve been an enjoyer for many, many years.

I trust that some earnest law enforcement folk are monitoring this site. My suggestion to you is to take ten minutes & watch the “End Prohibition Now” video produced by the good folks at Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP). Heres’ the link:

http://www.leap.cc/cms/index.php?name=Content&pid=28

Feb 18th, 2009
Mary Jane

I think it’s completely ridiculous that Micheal Phelps got so much shit for smoking pot. Just because he’s an olympic champion doesn’t mean he should be punished for smoking. if anything, he should be used as an example. look at what this guy’s accomplished, if he can do shit like that, and smoke pot and still do really well in what he does, WHY GIVE A SHIT

Feb 19th, 2009
sioux

(S.T.o.P)
We are a patient to patient group. Teaching patients how to be the best patient for there doctors to better there life’s living with an illness. We teacher medication awareness, holistic, herbal, homeopathic, alternative as well as human interaction and coping skills as life changes. We offer many different programs available with the community near you.

One thing we offer is awareness, so be aware that some people are not smart either to know that Cannabis or Marijuana is a plant and God Created it. Man only rearranges..

Michael your are the greatest in the world. Keep puffin if that will help you ….
Peace & Onelove
*(S.T.o.P) Safe Treatment of Patients

Feb 22nd, 2009
Eddie

John Said: “How ’bout GW? George Washington!”

Yes he did actully.

in fact, the deceleration of independence is made of hemp paper

Feb 23rd, 2009
kayLa

ganJa is my saviorr

smOke the Herb!

Feb 26th, 2009
EZAPPA

I think every pot smoker should boycott Kellogg’s products. For canceling Phelps sponsorship.ALL POT SMOKERS BOYCOTT KELLOGS ! .
EZAPPA

Feb 28th, 2009
Cody

I really don’t understand why it’s such a big deal I mean “weed” is not the worst this guy could be doing just be happy he’s smokin pot and not shootin up or snortin up!!! Back off of him!! Our president of the whole united states used so why can’t this guy?

Feb 28th, 2009
DADRUYLE

I DON’T KNOW ABOUT GEORGE BUT MICHAEL & PRES. BARACK OBAMA HAVE AWAYS BEEN MY HEROES AND I’M WHITE AND LOVE MY POT. MEDICAL MARIJUANA USER

Mar 3rd, 2009
Tubes

NOT TO MENTION HE WAS SMOKING A LIMITED ROAR BONG

Mar 5th, 2009
Wetland Willy

Legalize, tax and control. Hysteria is counterproductive! Ignorance is NOT bliss!

Mar 18th, 2009
Scott B

I want freedom from prosecution too! However, this ad uses comparisons of respected citizens that used some time ago in thier past, to someone that was criticized shortly after they became a notable character in our history. Despite it being a completely truthful and logical query of ‘why?’, the analoy is not quite linear. I did like it though!

Mar 18th, 2009
John Miller

I’m 54… at 18 I was a lost cause… I shudder how my life would have played out… but then, despite my extreme anti-drug views, a close friend offered me cannabis… coming from him I accepted the “experiment” and tried it – for the first time in my life, with two close friends, I laughed and laughed and laughed… and then a miracle happened – life, nature, personal goals became a reality… the experiment complete, I smoked cannabis for the next 30 years, getting great jobs, several college degrees…

In 1985 or thereabouts I was driving home after a 12 hour drive/vacation to my hometown, and in the Catskills of NYS I waited patiently for a car to pass in the dark on a lonely hw, in no rush, before I made a turn left up a dark hill… by coincidence a NY State Trouper came over the rise, the light was then green and he surmised I’d “sped through a red light!” He pulled me over… on my driver’s seat sat a beautiful brass pipe made in India, which I had found in a college park with a metal detector… it was smoked out of at my sister’s wedding… I simply loved the pipe and so as not to loose it I had put it in plain view on my passenger seat for the drive home to Boston.

I had no pot! I was “busted”, and since I had to drive many hours back to a courthouse in the Catskills, and having spoken to a district attorney, I had no choice but to plead “guilty to possession”… because the pipe had had pot smoked in it within those previous 3 days… And, I was intimidated by the judge, and so, to hope to avoid jail, I pleaded guilty…

Not an issue really until after the terrorist attack – 9/11… it was then that background checks along with hi-tech databases made it nearly impossible and stupid to leave off that simple possession fine. I was fined $50… that’s it… but after 9/11, I’m a “druggie”, and although a personal search of my criminal history turns up empty, I know the “crime” is out there and that police and others have access to it. So I honestly state on job apps I was “busted” once. And it’s a killer… people with criminal histories of assault, domestic violence, etc, fare better than I, “the druggie”… too bad… I could be a very productive member of society… except for the establishment expects if I want to do drugs… alcohol and tobacco are it!

Michael Phelps did us a service, Kelloggs did not… stop the madness – the “reefer madness”… it’s the gov’t that’s “hooked”, not the casual user of cannabis.

Mar 18th, 2009
Jeffrey Johnson

Aspirin can cause an overdose. Morphine is highly addictive. Alcohol is widely abused. All of these drugs are readily available for use or prescription in this country – why is marijuana not?

While researchers continue to look for ways to treat diseases and the symptoms they produce – such as cancer, AIDS, and MS – marijuana is readily available, but patients do not have access to it because our state has not stepped forward and done as 13 other states have – passed a law allowing the use of medical marijuana with a doctor’s recommendation.

I am asking you today to introduce or support a bill that would make medical marijuana available to those who need it.

Mar 25th, 2009

MPP Alert: 10 Signs of Progress in The Last 4 Months « BuelahMan’s Redstate Revolt - Mar 4th, 2009
Grassachusetts.net » Legalization News » Marijuana Policy Reform: 10 signs of progress in the last 4 months - Oct 22nd, 2009

Michael Phelps, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush: Marijuana Role Models

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