POT SMOKING OLYMPIAN? DUMB, DA DUMB DUMB

If there's one thing people on both sides of the pot debate should be
able to agree on, it's that marijuana can make people act like dummies
- -- no smoking required.

Dummy example #1: Michael Phelps.

For some bizarre reason, the Olympic gold medallist thought being an
internationally-known sports celeb meant he would be totally incognito
when he took a hit from a bong at a frat party. (Bong. Frat party? A
recipe for hilarity. Or, in this case, scandal.)

Really, Michael? Really? Let me tell you about these things -- they're
called camera phones. They're everywhere. People capture your image on
'em. Often, they show up on the web. Think about it.

Dumb, da dumb dumb.

Quelle shock -- a photo of the swimmer smoking dope showed up in the
press, making Phelps red faced and not just red eyed (sorry, couldn't
resist). But Phelps isn't the only goof who emerges from the ensuing
kerfuffle.

Dummy example #2: Everyone who thinks a little pot smoke has
transformed Phelps into the devil incarnate or the equivalent of the
head of a powerful drug cartel.

For a bong hit at a frat party? (Again, hilarious). Really, people?
Really?

Dumb, da dumb dumb.

Seems the local fuzz are even thinking about going after Phelps. The
sheriff in Richland County, Leon Lott, is known to take a hard line on
drugs. A spokesperson for the police department said an investigation
is underway.

"Our narcotics division is reviewing the information that we have, and
they're investigating what charges, if any, will be filed," said
spokesperson Chris Cowan.

Meanwhile, the usual hullabaloo around Phelps has sprung up: What does
this transgression do to his role model status? Does he even need to
be answerable as a role model? Well, he is one. The man won eight
freakin' medals in one Olympics. Whether he likes it or not, all that
hardware brings some responsibility. Which makes his decision to smoke
up in public even more stupid.

You can think the whole persecution of pot smokers is ridiculous while
still calling the smokers dumb for assuming that persecution doesn't
exist.

That's right, the issue isn't black or white, but a smoky-bluish
grey.

Phelps issued a statement apologizing for getting caught in the
act.

"I engaged in behaviour which was regrettable and demonstrated bad
judgment. 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."

In Canada, where lighting up a joint is more likely to get you a
ticket than a jail sentence, heavy-handed attacks on pot smoking in
the States often cause head scratching. But if you're going to do it,
you should recognize the realities and attitudes that still surround
it, for better or for worse.

Phelps isn't the only sports celeb to be caught with
cannabis.

Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes almost derailed his career mid-season
when he was charged with possession of marijuana after pot was found
in his car.

The persecution of pot may go overboard, particularly in the U.S. But
it's also ridiculous to expect that persecution to not apply just
because it makes no sense. It's here, for better or for worse.

Taking a bong hit doesn't erase Phelps' gold performance in Beijing.
It shouldn't make us doubt his abilities in the pool. His IQ on the
other hand? Well, that may just be a bit lower than we all thought.