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Sunday, February 01, 2009

Michael Phelps Caught On Video Doing Bong Hits?

Olympic great Michael Phelps has acknowledged "regrettable" behavior and "bad judgment" after a photo in a British newspaper showed him smoking marijuana.

In a statement released to The Associated Press, the swimmer who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games conceded the authenticity of the exclusive video published Sunday by the blog Blogging Vermont Style.

Phelps acknowledges photo showing Olympic swimming star smoking pot - ESPN
While this isn't really "shocking" news, it does go to show how badly we are losing the war on drugs. It also highlights the ridiculousness of marijuana prohibition. Come on now, you wouldn't see people freaking out if there was a picture of him totally shit-faced at a night club with a table full of empty drinks. I know the first thing that comes to mind is..."Well that's legal". While that may be factually correct, the social reality just doesn't pan out. Alcohol related arrests and prosecutions make up a huge percentage of the law enforcement expenditures in this country. The medical cost associated with health care for alcohol related problems is likely second only to the cost of tobacco related care. Yet, there's another legal product. Are you seeing the pattern here? Is there any sane reason for marijuana prohibition if a large percentage of the population is already using it? Obviously, by the Phelps saga, it shows that use is rampant in all sectors of the population. Also consider the tax revenue that could be generated. Look at how the industrial sector could benefit from hemp related products. Talk about going green....

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