# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/21 "2009-02-02T20:50:57Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > You don’t have to be in the moral majority to be a little disappointed with Phelps. > > I’ve got two daughters and I’m happy that they don’t indulge. That you know of. It always cracked me up as a teenager that my girlfriends’ parents thought they were perfect because they got straight A’s and were involved in extracurricular activities - basically nice, intelligent girls - when I knew they got drunk and high and weren’t virgins. Believe it or not, you can do all those things and still be a decent, productive student/member of society (and, apparently, gold medal-winning Olympic athlete). ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/22 "2009-02-02T20:52:38Z")
Dumb move on Phelps’ part, because there are going to be cameras anywhere he goes and that’s not something you want people to take a picture of. But I agree that this is a total non-story. One of the components in determining newsworthiness is how unusual an event is. Let’s consider how unusual it is for a kid in his early 20s to smoke some pot. 😛 I think it sounds like he is weathering this pretty well, though. If I had any Deep Purple albums at home, I would go home and, in Phelps’ honor, crank up “Smoke on the Water.” ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/23 "2009-02-02T20:54:06Z")
Smoking weed - eh. Getting photographed doing same - stupid. Endangering millions in endorsement deals - monumentally stupid. Get the money first. Once you’re financially secure for life, _then_ hit the bong. ---
**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 2, 2009, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/24 "2009-02-02T21:01:57Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Smoking weed - eh. > > Getting photographed doing same - stupid. > > Endangering millions in endorsement deals - monumentally stupid. > > Get the money first. Once you’re financially secure for life, _then_ hit the bong. I can’t even begin to say how much I agree with ths post. My level of surprise or outrage over the fact that Phelps or anyone else smokes pot is about zero. But if he wants to make money off of his swimming, endorsement deals are pretty much the only way to do it…if I were him, I wouldn’t do _anything_ I thought would jeopardize that. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/25 "2009-02-02T21:02:53Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > … and alcohol is _more_ harmful than pot,… I’m glad that you recognize that pot is still harmful. But given your support for the consumption of pot, I would expect that you find some redeeming value for pot. I don’t. I don’t give a rat’s ass if you smoke pot, but most adults I know who smoke it and that I know socially will not smoke it in front of children. i appreciate that. In the case of Phelps, what has been accomplished here is an example that smoking pot must be okay because a national hero does it. Think of the children dammit. I’m actually way more pissed off at the media for invading Phelps’ privacy and bringing all this to light. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/26 "2009-02-02T21:05:38Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > I don’t give a rat’s ass if you smoke pot, but most adults I know who smoke it and that I know socially will not smoke it in front of children. i appreciate that. In the case of Phelps, what has been accomplished here is an example that smoking pot must be okay because a national hero does it. Phelps smoked in front of children? ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/27 "2009-02-02T21:07:50Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > I don’t suppose I should drop politics in an unrelated thread like this, but I was pleased when Obama responded to questions about his own youthful drug use by saying, “Of course I inhaled. That was the _point_.” > > When someone with that attitude can get elected President of the U.S., I think it indicates a step the country is taking towards getting past its uptight beliefs about drugs. I think that we elected Obama knowing he not only smoked pot, but did lots of other drugs, yet Phelps is supposed to apologize for taking a bong hit says our country hasn’t taken nearly the progressive steps you might think. > [@Alessan](#): > > That stuff can’t be good for your lungs. Tell that to his gold medals. Living in a country where people drive cars is not good for your lungs. Should olympic gold medalists apologize for that? Shouldn’t the people driving cars be the ones apologizing? You don’t hear that much. Think of the children! Don’t you know what your car exhaust is doing to them? What kind of example is that? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/28 "2009-02-02T21:08:53Z")
I do think of the children. That’s why I didn’t lie to him. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/29 "2009-02-02T21:11:30Z")
All those stories of those breakfasts make much more sense now. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/30 "2009-02-02T21:11:50Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > I don’t give a rat’s ass if you smoke pot, but most adults I know who smoke it and that I know socially will not smoke it in front of children. i appreciate that. In the case of Phelps, what has been accomplished here is an example that smoking pot must be okay because a national hero does it. > > Think of the children dammit. How is a guy called **The Flying Dutchman** so down on pot use? That mindblowing fact aside, you’re being naive, which is S.O.P. for people who say “Think of the children.” Kids do not smoke pot because they see famous people doing it. They do it because their friends do it. That’s how it’s been since time immemorial. They rarely suffer any ill effects other than looking stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/31 "2009-02-02T21:12:11Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > Think of the children dammit. No, you think of the children. They’re your kids Michael Phelps hasn’t any responsibility to them. If you don’t like his behavior then you tell your children that you think he’s an ass and that they shouldn’t look up to him. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/32 "2009-02-02T21:14:01Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > In the case of Phelps, what has been accomplished here is an example that smoking pot must be okay because a national hero does it. Michael Phelps is not a hero. That guy who landed the plane in the Hudson River is a hero. Michael Phelps just swims really fast. Jesus Christ, let’s have some standards! ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/33 "2009-02-02T21:14:30Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > I’m glad that you recognize that pot is still harmful. > But given your support for the consumption of pot, I would expect that you find some redeeming value for pot. I don’t. > > […] > > Think of the children dammit. Freakin’ square. Go spark a joint, it will help you lighten up. 🆒 ---
**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 2, 2009, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/34 "2009-02-02T21:17:29Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > I’m glad that you recognize that pot is still harmful. I’m not sure he’s going that far. I don’t think saying ‘A is more harmful than B’ necessarily means that you think B is harmful. > [@The Flying Dutchman](#): > > I appreciate that. In the case of Phelps, what has been accomplished here is an example that smoking pot must be okay because a national hero does it. Oh, please. People don’t generally think that everything an idol does is okay. > [@The Flying Dutchman](#): > > Think of the children dammit. I’m not sure whether I’m saddened or amused that you’re saying this seriously. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/35 "2009-02-02T21:28:02Z")
Personally, I wouldn’t let Phelps anywhere near my stash. Think of what kind of lung capacity he has. The dude could power through a quarter ounce of weed in one hit! Also, what **Mr. Moto** said. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/36 "2009-02-02T21:30:11Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > I don’t give a rat’s ass if you smoke pot, but most adults I know who smoke it and that I know socially will not smoke it in front of children. i appreciate that. I suspect that the reason adults do not smoke pot in front of children is more due to the fact that it’s illegal, and a slip of the tongue by the kid could result in jail time and all the ensuing expenses, etc. than because people think it’s somehow “wrong”. btw, if we are to think of the children, what exactly is the magic day that they are no longer children? Their 10th birthday? Their 18th? Day 10k of their lives? ---
**Author:** ![FarmerChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@FarmerChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FarmerChick)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/37 "2009-02-02T21:36:30Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > He has been busted for that already. Five years ago… He learned from that, good for him. He is/was young and stupid. Now he’s just young and normal. IMHO, it’s just hypocritical for him to have to “apologize.” As has been noted already in this thread, your President puffed a doobie or two, hell 1/2 our population has smoked, or I’m sure the stat is close enough to 1/2 that I won’t be yelled at for a cite. My point is, smoking pot is not news. Drunk driving? Now that’s news. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/38 "2009-02-02T21:38:18Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Tell that to his gold medals. Living in a country where people drive cars is not good for your lungs. Should olympic gold medalists apologize for that? Shouldn’t the people driving cars be the ones apologizing? You don’t hear that much. > > Think of the children! Don’t you know what your car exhaust is doing to them? What kind of example is that? Most of the children aren’t Olympic athletes. Those who are should take the best care of their bodies as humanly possible. And yes, I think Phelps should avoid carbon monoxide whenever possible. His lungs are essential for his success, and unless he’s considering retiring, he should keep them in perfect shape. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/39 "2009-02-02T21:39:27Z")
You want to get bent out of shape over what athletes do, how about actually prosecuting high-profile athletes who do hard drugs (incuding steroids) or have violence/breaking the law problems? This guy hitting a bong is so far down on my list of things I care about professional athletes doing as to not even register (although I do agree with the “stupid” assessment - like former President Clinton, dude, you’re not supposed to get CAUGHT doing stuff like that!). And yes, I would support a boycotter boycott. We’ll have to keep an eye on this to see if any of his sponsors pull out. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/40 "2009-02-02T21:46:38Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I suspect that the reason adults do not smoke pot in front of children is more due to the fact that it’s illegal, and a slip of the tongue by the kid could result in jail time and all the ensuing expenses, etc. than because people think it’s somehow “wrong”. Nobody here in Canada gets busted for smoking pot. But kids do come home from school with a very negative attitude towards pot, and if they catch their parents or friends smoking pot they lose respect. My daughter dropped a boyfriend at 14 years of age for pot use. That does change of course as the kids get older. > [@](#): > > btw, if we are to think of the children, what exactly is the magic day that they are no longer children? Their 10th birthday? Their 18th? Day 10k of their lives? Define children any way you like. ETA: The first thing that came to mind on this issue was the first gold medal in Snowboarding. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135.md?page=3)