# Ooh, ooh, Michael Phelps smoked pot, ooh ooh ooh, the demon weed **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 2, 2009, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135 "2009-02-02T17:06:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![jimpatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9e5f3/32.png) [@jimpatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimpatro)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/201 "2009-02-06T16:34:47Z")
> [@](#): > > Drug taking doesn’t harm anyone but the addict Please tell that to a 6 year old little girl who wishes that daddy would get better. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/202 "2009-02-06T16:36:52Z")
> [@jimpatro](#): > > Please tell that to a 6 year old little girl who wishes that daddy would get better. You mean the father is an alcoholic? ---
**Author:** ![jimpatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9e5f3/32.png) [@jimpatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimpatro)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/203 "2009-02-06T16:37:41Z")
> [@](#): > > Thank you for admitting that you have nothing to support your stupid straw man to the actual topic of Phelps smoking pot. So I guess you can prove he wasn’t smoking Mexican pot? Irrelevant. It’s a whole culture that’s supports an illegal activity regardless of where it comes from. ---
**Author:** ![jimpatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9e5f3/32.png) [@jimpatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimpatro)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/204 "2009-02-06T16:40:08Z")
> [@](#): > > You mean the father is an alcoholic? You know what I mean. So go ahead, defend it. Does a parent have the right to get strung out even though it effects his family? ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/205 "2009-02-06T16:40:39Z")
> [@jimpatro](#): > > You know what I mean. So go ahead, defend it. Does a parent have the right to get strung out even though it effects his family? They have the right to do it with alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![jimpatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9e5f3/32.png) [@jimpatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimpatro)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/206 "2009-02-06T16:42:15Z")
No, they have the right to drink alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/207 "2009-02-06T16:45:06Z")
I smoke pretty regulary. I think that it should be legal and I have no problems with the fact that there may be negative side effects. That said Phelps was a fucking idiot here. He knows the position he’s in and he knows how uptight a large section of American society is about this so he should have been more careful about who was around him when he was smoking. I would love for the laws to go away but reality is reality and you should be careful when doing this kind of stuff. ---
**Author:** ![George\_Kaplin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3e96dc/32.png) [@George\_Kaplin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/George_Kaplin)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/208 "2009-02-06T16:47:00Z")
> [@Sarahfeena](#): > > Yeah, but what this is really about is the sponsors. Basically, his image is his product that Kellogg’s is paying good money for…if they don’t like the image he’s projecting, or don’t think it fits the image they want to project, they aren’t going to pay for it, and why should they? > Reply With Quote Well, **jimpatro** , to whom I was responding, was defending the legal prohibitions against cannabis. As for the sponsors, I agree they have the right to drop Phelps if they think he’ll harm their brand, but I think it’s a sad indictment of Western society that someone so outstandingly talented could be sanctioned in such a manner just because so many people have a knee-jerk reaction against pot smokers. As other posters have mentioned, if Phelps had been photographed shotgunning a six pack of Coors light it would have been dismissed as harmless college hijinks inspite of the fact that alcohol is undoubtedly more dangerous than cannabis. People’s perceptions are screwed, and Phelps is getting screwed as a result. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/209 "2009-02-06T16:48:30Z")
> [@jimpatro](#): > > No, they have the right to drink alcohol. So you’re saying people should have the right to do whatever drugs they want as long as they don’t get strung out and damage their family. I see. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/210 "2009-02-06T16:57:48Z")
> [@jimpatro](#): > > You know what I mean. So go ahead, defend it. Does a parent have the right to get strung out even though it effects his family? If your new argument is about the sanctity of family, let’s swing it the other way: does the state have the right to destroy a family by locking up a drug user for years? ---
**Author:** ![jimpatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9e5f3/32.png) [@jimpatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimpatro)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/211 "2009-02-06T16:58:04Z")
I think certain drugs should never be legal. Pot should be legal. I just think we have to have standards. A starting point so we all know where we stand. We’ve never put pot use to a vote. But if we did and it’s legal use was voted down then we should all honor that. It’s a democracy and you don’t always get your way. If was it was legalized, how many users would honestly espouse the democratic system. You can’t say it’s great only when you get your own way. Unfortunately it’s never gotten so far as the voting stage but we can’t just say, oh well, I’ll just do whatever I want. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/212 "2009-02-06T16:59:00Z")
> [@George\_Kaplin](#): > > Well, **jimpatro** , to whom I was responding, was defending the legal prohibitions against cannabis. Right…I should have made more clear that I was just trying to focus on Phelps’ current problem, not the issue of marijuana laws in general. > [@](#): > > As for the sponsors, I agree they have the right to drop Phelps if they think he’ll harm their brand, but I think it’s a sad indictment of Western society that someone so outstandingly talented could be sanctioned in such a manner just because so many people have a knee-jerk reaction against pot smokers. As other posters have mentioned, if Phelps had been photographed shotgunning a six pack of Coors light it would have been dismissed as harmless college hijinks inspite of the fact that alcohol is undoubtedly more dangerous than cannabis. People’s perceptions are screwed, and Phelps is getting screwed as a result. See, I’m not so sure about that…I think he may very well have been dropped if he was shown abusing alcohol, as well. These corporations control their brand image pretty tightly. ---
**Author:** ![jimpatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9e5f3/32.png) [@jimpatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimpatro)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/213 "2009-02-06T16:59:44Z")
> [@](#): > > If your new argument is about the sanctity of family, let’s swing it the other way: does the state have the right to destroy a family by locking up a drug user for years? It’s just another factor in the big issue. The state does have the right until the state is overthrown and replaced. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/214 "2009-02-06T17:04:38Z")
> [@jimpatro](#): > > So I guess you can prove he wasn’t smoking Mexican pot? > Irrelevant. It’s a whole culture that’s supports an illegal activity regardless of where it comes from. One logical fallacy after another with you, isn’t it? I have nothing vested in proving he was smoking pot from Mexico, California, or Antarctica. That was _your_ straw man argument. But, I definitely agree it is an irrelevant argument. ---
**Author:** ![George\_Kaplin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3e96dc/32.png) [@George\_Kaplin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/George_Kaplin)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/215 "2009-02-06T17:06:56Z")
> [@jimpatro](#): > > Please tell that to a 6 year old little girl who wishes that daddy would get better. I think I was quite clear on my definition of “harm”. It extended to physically harming persons and/or depriving them of their rights and/or property. It did not extend to hurt feelings. Just because an activity is upsetting to close relatives is no reason to make it illegal. ---
**Author:** ![jimpatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9e5f3/32.png) [@jimpatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimpatro)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/216 "2009-02-06T17:12:34Z")
To clarify, it’s not just hurt feelings, which I think are very significant to a small child, but also responsibility to that child. Someone constantly strung out, spending the family budget on drugs, needs to not be in that position in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/217 "2009-02-06T17:14:11Z")
> [@jimpatro](#): > > It’s a whole culture that’s supports an illegal activity regardless of where it comes from. So what? > [@jimpatro](#): > > I just think we have to have standards. A starting point so we all know where we stand. How do those standards apply to this particular situation? > [@](#): > > But if we did and it’s legal use was voted down then we should all honor that. > It’s a democracy and you don’t always get your way. Of course, in a democracy, you also have the right to campaign to get your way. You continue to refer to honor here, but I don’t see marijuana smoking as honorable or dishonorable. Same goes for jaywalking, speeding, and a lot of other illegal acts. But either way I think my question about honoring the law deserves an answer. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/218 "2009-02-06T17:14:34Z")
I’ve read that pot is increasingly being produced by California hippies. Or, in general, in people’s basements and greenhouses, etc. One of my main reasons for supporting the legalization of pot is that I don’t want money flowing to Latin American drug cartels. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/219 "2009-02-06T17:17:49Z")
> [@jimpatro](#): > > Unfortunately it’s never gotten so far as the voting stage but we can’t just say, oh well, I’ll just do whatever I want. What the hell are you talking about? Whenever voters have been given the opportunity, they’ve legalized the specific use of marijuana on the referendum. When the legislature has been able to prevent it from getting that far, nothing has changed. Also, you’ve said that you favor the legalization of pot, but you’ve also said laws have to be followed every single time period. You are aware of the role of civil disobedience in changing the law, right? ---
**Author:** ![jimpatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9e5f3/32.png) [@jimpatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimpatro)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/220 "2009-02-06T17:18:08Z")
> [@](#): > > I have nothing vested in proving he was smoking pot from Mexico, California, or Antarctica It seemed important in this prior statement > [@](#): > > Christ, you idiot. Do you have ANY evidence that your stupid straw man about the pot Phelps smoked came from Mexico is actually true? Pay attention, **Lightray** , s’matter? You tokin’ up? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135.md?page=12)