Clouded Judgement
(Originally posted on Daily Kos.)
Only six months removed from an historic athletic performance that won him the adoration of millions the world over, Olympic champion Michael Phelps is once again making headlines — caught on film with his gold-medal-smooching lips firmly planted within the rim of a marijuana-packed bong. The now infamous photo, ubiquitous from ESPN to E! and everywhere in between, drew a hasty and ostensibly heartfelt apology from Phelps, who explained, "I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner that people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again."
Deeply engrossed in hour after hour of after-hour Super Bowl coverage, I was treated to Phelps' mea culpa countless times courtesy of the worldwide leader's onscreen sports ticker. It was hard to ignore the unspoken irony displaying ad nauseum on television screens from sea to shining sea: Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes — anointed the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player — showered with accolades well-deserved, not a detractor in sight; Phelps, formerly a do-no-wrong golden child, now shamed relentlessly over his youthful indiscretions.
After all, maybe I'm misremembering, but I could have sworn Santonio Holmes was not so far removed from some indiscretions of his own. Ah, yes — it was week eight of the NFL season when Holmes was found in possession of several pre-rolled marijuana cigars, resulting in a misdemeanor charge and a one-game suspension, but obviously bearing little on his ability to excel at the highest level of professional football. Top it all off with a hefty helping of beer-pimping Clydesdales and Dalmatians, and some subliminal suggestions that I try living the High Life, and it's hard to know what to make of it all.
The world's most decorated Olympian, the Super Bowl MVP, the bulk of professional basketball players, the current and former U.S. President — not to mention millions of skilled, hardworking, responsible people the world over — use (or have used) marijuana recreationally. Denying this reality and its clear implications — all while absorbing an unending string of alcohol advertisements — seems the very definition of willful ignorance.
Marijuana is, by any measure, of comparable or less harm than alcohol, and our policies should reflect as much. I am by no means advocating that anyone use marijuana, or alcohol for that matter (more for me), and I certainly sympathize with opposing arguments that I really ought to "think of the children" — I just disagree with them. Hiding the truth — that marijuana is comparable to alcohol; that innumerable successful people, from world-class athletes to world leaders, use or have used marijuana; that the greatest risk posed by marijuana use is, in fact, the prospect of arrest — does no one any good, least of all the young people we mean to protect.
The overblown rhetoric surrounding marijuana, so readily and regularly revealed to be baseless bluster — as most recently evidenced by the weekend's events — causes young people to distrust what should be reliable sources of critical information about both marijuana and other, more dangerous drugs. A marijuana policy rooted in lies and scare tactics is sure to produce adolescents forever skeptical of public officials — not necessarily a bad thing — and also runs the danger of causing individuals to underestimate the risks posed by more serious drugs — certainly a bad thing.
Our nation's drug policy, as well as the pronouncements of politicians, pundits and, above all, public health officials, should strive to provide young people the tools they need to make informed decisions — minimizing the danger faced by those who inevitably choose to experiment with drugs and alcohol, whether as adolescents or adults.
I eagerly await the day when a bong-hit will raise no more eyebrows than a pint-hoist, and I imagine Michael Phelps and Santonio Holmes feel the same. At least we were spared the federal government's unbelievably costly and counterproductive drug war propaganda this Super Bowl — I guess even record-breaking budget deficits have their upside.
(Disclaimer: Santonio Holmes' arrest stemmed from a traffic stop during which marijuana was found in his vehicle. He was not, however, accused of driving under the influence. Needless to say, driving under the influence of any drug, including marijuana or alcohol, is dangerous and should remain illegal.)
Feb 3rd, 2009 at 5:03pm
How sad he was praised for helping glorify the criminal regime in China but
denounced for a bong hit.
Feb 4th, 2009 at 1:39pm
All the crime and violence caused by Alcohol prohibition in the 1920's and 1930's was used an excuse to pass more gun control laws. Today the same thing is happening with marijuana prohibition, all the crime and violence it causes is often used by politicians as an excuse to push for more gun control laws and gun bans.
Ending marijuana prohibition can also help to stop new useless and unconstitutional gun bans and gun control laws.
Feb 13th, 2009 at 11:24am
These non violent humans who choose to smoke cannabis transformed into criminals now have an instinctive distrust of government, and may not be so likely to report crimes or trust law enforcement.
Thus, there are millions on the fringes of society in this country and creating enemies abroad. Keep up the good work, guys and gals for looking after our rights to the persuit of happiness.
Feb 16th, 2009 at 5:05pm
I believe that the current financial crisis may have an unintended side effect: the decriminalization of cannabis. From what I have been reading, some in the California legislature is considering legalizing in order to help alleviate their budget deficit. So, the drug war may not end because of its unconstitutionality, it's unspoken war on the poor and minorities, or its billions of dollars wasted spent fighting marijuana, but because the govermnent simply ran out of money.
Feb 19th, 2009 at 12:14am
Think of all the people decriminalization would put out of work.
Prison guards
Prison construction
DEA agents
Weapons manufacturers
Gang members
To create jobs we should bring back prohibition of alcohol, I know It would take a constitutional amendment just like the one they have for marijuana, right?
We could make possession of other things illegal as well, I'm allergic to chocolate so lets start with that.
Feb 24th, 2009 at 10:49pm
I think it's quite the tragedy, that after being lied to for eight years by our nation's leader, or being robbed by greedy health insurance companies, or being cheated by those on wall street that the disappointment is Michael Phelps. It just says a lot about how in denial Americans can be.
Feb 26th, 2009 at 11:02pm
Only a bunch of pot-smoking liberals would want to legalize a drug that enslaves the minds of our youth, leading them down the path of drug addiction and self-distruction... Take a few less bong hits and eat some chocolate instead. It's legal. Duh.
Mar 4th, 2009 at 6:20pm
I don't believe it is a drug that "enslaves minds", it's not addictive, and it doesn't lead to destruction! In fact, it's safer than alcohol. And great for the economy.
Mar 4th, 2009 at 10:59pm
Why isn’t this on TV
How are we as a country going to get up to date in the medical field if the Government continues with its “War on Drugs” targeting the marijuana issues. The disease we are fighting is CANCER. It was found by research that it battles cancers.
The war is a peaceful one by the people, we are trying to peacefully resolve the war with the People of God versus the United States Government and local state, county, and city governments.
Why do they continue to ignore the response of the American People?
It is the duty of every free American to end this violation of Gods law and the law of this nation.
Specifically, the law that govern the use and aquisition of cannabis sativa, and herb declared by scientist, that bears seed. Now I would refer you to the scriptures reguarding the origins and uses by man; Genesis chapter 1 verses 29 and 30:
29 And God said, Behold, I have given you everyherb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree in the which is the fruit of a tree yeilding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
This is God’s LAW and man has violated that law by incarcerating and killing people for using an herb that God made and placed in the Garden of Eden to help mankind get along and live long lives.
Cannabis sativa was developed by God.
Who is so blind that they cannot see the results of taking an intricate part of our DNA. There are THC receptors built into our systems, and when you take that natural process out you shorten the life.
Look at what you learn from scientists.
Now is the time to make reparation to these people that have been violated by the Law.
Repentance proceedures, as set forth in the Bible are expected by the People of God, to the U.S. Government for this clear violation.
The Laws governing cannabis sativa were done so by perjurious information, citing specifically the lies made popular by the movie “Reefer Madness” produced and developed the U.S. Government. The Leguardia report stated the real scientific results and yet the information being sent to mainstream America were complete lies.
And now we see the results of the U.S. Government trying to keep the one thing that supresses violent tendancies of mankind.
The results are a scourge upon the earth that we know as CANCER. What will stop it is simple. My words are simple.
Legalize Marijuana NOW or the scourge will be tenfold, Thus Saith The Lord.
Now is our time to make the reparations necessary for humanity to enjoy the real freedom that one has in life if their diet is in direct relation to what we learn in the Scriptures from God.
Those who oppose on this issue oppose also God, I’m merely a messenger.
Forward to 3 friends and President Obama
Mar 21st, 2009 at 3:57pm
Will the ACLU please stop the War on Puna, Hawaii? For the past couple weeks, the DEA has been methodically terrorizing residential subdivisions in East Hawaii by flying helicopters at treetop level over people's backyards while photographing them, even peering in people's windows. Many of us work at home, so that was impossible while being under siege. This is a terrifying new turn of events. Calls to the local authorities tell that the DEA will be conducting raids soon. Whatever happened to the right to privacy, and peaceful enjoyment of property? The ACLU needs to file a class action suit on behalf of the besieged subdivision residents. This has been going on for years, but the war has suddenly escalated. Common wisdom suggests that they are in it for the seized assets. Will they be setting up innocents, as well? Please help us. SOS 3/21/09
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