PHELPS DRAMA OVERDONE, MARIJUANA BAN SHOULD GO UP IN SMOKE

If we can learn anything from the recent troubles of Michael Phelps,
it's that marijuana should not be illegal in the U.S.

Until Wednesday, I was going to keep my mouth shut about the media's
obsession with Michael Phelps hitting a bong. But, in the midst of my
Digging, I found an article on CNN.com titled "Police Looking to
Charge Michael Phelps for Smoking Pot." This has gone too far -- much
too far. Are the police really going to charge an Olympian for
recreational marijuana smoking, something that allegedly happened all
the way back in November? Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott claims,
"If someone breaks a law in Richland County, we have an obligation as
law enforcement to investigate and to bring charges." Must we pry
further into this "mistake" that our beloved, smiling, gold-medal
winning, American swimmer made at some college party? Let's not
forget that some time back in 2004 Phelps had to suffer 18 months
probation for a DUI charge. So, it is clear that Phelps is no
stranger to the occasional substance abuse -- as few of us are that
attend college at prestigious Big ! Ten institutions (Phelps did at
Michigan). The powers that be are blowing this out of proportion. It
is completely absurd to be taking such drastic and hostile action as
investigating such an act, a mostly harmless one at that, which took
place three months ago.

What's more, the goofy dolphin-man has already issued his apology,
citing the behavior as "regrettable." On the Fox News program "Red
Eye" the other day, the commentators began discussion of this
incident and came to the careful conclusion that Phelps even had a
good "bong stance," clearly indicating that he is no novice to the
likes of the Schedule I substance.

Let us examine the situation logically. Michael Phelps willingly and
knowingly smoked a bong, supposedly some time in November. Recently,
a British tabloid got ahold of a photograph of Michael Phelps in the
act. This would have to mean that someone at the party, perhaps an
acquaintance of Phelps, snapped the photograph and, later, someone
submitted the photo for print in the paper. Now published, the world
has freaked out and cannot believe that swimming's poster boy would
commit such a horrible act. Naturally, being an intelligent
businessman and public relations person, Phelps has thoroughly
apologized for his heinous act. This is where everything should have
stopped -- even university police and Columbia, South Carolina,
police have decided not to pursue any charges. But the damn sheriff's
department is simply too just of an institution to let this slide.

What really comes out of this whole debacle is the fact that the most
winning Olympian in history not only drinks (as the DUI showed us),
but also indulges in marijuana from time to time. If Phelps, the
amazing role model and inspiration for Americans, can do the amazing
things he does and still smoke some pot, perhaps we need to
reconsider our stance on the issue of marijuana use.

Currently, marijuana sits on the top of the list of America's worst
drugs. The DEA drug-scheduling system, which came about in the
Controlled Substances Act of 1970, was an early part of Nixon's War
on Drugs, which we still wage today. The system is composed of a
five-part scheduling system, ranging from I through V, I being most
severe. The definition of a Schedule I drug is as follows: a) The
drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse, b) The drug
or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment
in the United States, c) There is no provision for safe use of the
drug or other substance under medical supervision.

There are currently 13 states where medical marijuana is legal under
state law. Clearly, marijuana does not meet the criteria of a
Schedule I drug. Other drugs on this list include heroin and ecstasy
(MDMA). What may be more alarming, though, is the fact that the
Schedule II, a lesser classification, includes such drugs as cocaine
and opium. Logically, marijuana should not hold such stern unlawful status.

I think it is time for our nation to recognize the relevance of
Michael Phelps' marijuana use. He is the embodiment of a great
American. He possesses great willpower, determination and perhaps
greatest of all, he has a hell of a work ethic. If such an individual
chooses to recreationally use marijuana, maybe as an alternative to
drinking alcohol, and can still reach the monumental pedestals that
he does, then perhaps it is time we consider a more logical approach
to this legal travesty.