# 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:** 9
**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, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/161 "2009-02-06T13:31:08Z")
> [@jimpatro](#): > > And lots of people are dying on the Mexican border for some folks to be able to “chill”. Not bad, but you lose points for not directly tying the weed to Bin Laden.x > [@jimpatro](#): > > So we should just each decide individually which laws to follow? Yes, as a matter of fact. This is called having a conscience. It’s not a bug, it’s a feature. > [@](#): > > We should each decide to follow the laws of the land. Pure bullshit. Do what you like but don’t pretend the rest of us have some kind of obligation to follow your choice to abdicate responsibility to somebody else. > [@](#): > > I can’t think of any bad laws at the moment. Make an effort. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/162 "2009-02-06T14:30:28Z")
> [@Otter\_Snacks](#): > > Just heard on the news that Kellogg’s is dropping their sponsorship of Phelps over the incident. I think the whole thing is silly but hardly surprising. With some smart investing he should be set for life anyway. Apparently he’s also now picked up a new [sponsor](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1046/528772854_87b076ef1e.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/163 "2009-02-06T14:40:30Z")
“Man, I am so _baked_… is everyone looking at me? I think everyone’s gonna _know_!” “Naw, Mikey, man, nobody’s gonna know. Chill.” “No, seriously, what if, like, people found out? I could lose my job! I might get _arrested_!” “Dude! Check it out… Phelpsie’s gettin’ all _paranoid_ an’ shit! It’s just weed, brah. Chill!” ---
**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, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/164 "2009-02-06T15:02:35Z")
Looks like the rationalizing has begun. You’re always gonna try to find a way to reconcile your breaking of the law. You like pot so there just cannot be any negative consequences to smoking it. It just can’t be. But you just can’t always have everything you want. ---
**Author:** ![spifflog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/165 "2009-02-06T15:02:38Z")
Phelps has no one but himself to blame. He was getting paid tens of millions of dollars to endorse products because of his image as a young upstanding role model to middle America. He had to know that Kelloggs wasn’t marketing their cereal to 30 year old stoners. ---
**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, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/166 "2009-02-06T15:06:38Z")
> [@](#): > > You’re missing the point. Nobody should have the right to dictate what you can or cannot ingest or inhale. That’s nobody’s damn business but your own. But George, do you really think it’s okay for people to be doing crack or meth? And thanks for obliging me. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/167 "2009-02-06T15:09:51Z")
> [@gladtobeblazed](#): > > I agree completely. I see no reason to complain about Kellogg. Phelps should have known better than to smoke in front of strangers. > . Do we know it’s 'Strangers" ? Do we know who took the pic and leaked it? Think about it - there’s cell phones all over the place. Mini cameras can be hidden inside teddy bears (or whatever). If you have your home secured and let **no one else** inside, ever, I suppose you can feel reasonably somewhat secure that you’re not being videotaped/photographed/recorded (although who the fuck knows what the government is doing), as long as you’re not famous/infamous/whatever. ---
**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, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/168 "2009-02-06T15:11:52Z")
> [@](#): > > Pure bullshit. Do what you like but don’t pretend the rest of us have some kind of obligation to follow your choice to abdicate responsibility to somebody else. Not pretending anything. To be a responsible citizen you have the obligation to follow our laws. Or you can be obligated to go to jail. Can a mugger just say, hey I’m not going to follow the law that says stealing is illegal. I bet you don’t want him to if he’s considering you as his next victim. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/169 "2009-02-06T15:11:56Z")
> [@jimpatro](#): > > Looks like the rationalizing has begun. You’re always gonna try to find a way to reconcile your breaking of the law. You like pot so there just cannot be any negative consequences to smoking it. It just can’t be. But you just can’t always have everything you want. No one says there are no “negative consequences,” what most people think is that it’s not the government’s damn business to protect you from the very small negative consequences of smoking weed. Kellogg’s products cause a LOT more harm to American youth then pot ever will. ---
**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, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/170 "2009-02-06T15:16:44Z")
So we’ll just overlook the innocent people along the border who get caught up in the line of fire. We only care about our American youth. ---
**Author:** ![gladtobeblazed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85f322/32.png) [@gladtobeblazed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gladtobeblazed)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/171 "2009-02-06T15:36:42Z")
> [@wring](#): > > Do we know it’s 'Strangers" ? Do we know who took the pic and leaked it? > > Think about it - there’s cell phones all over the place. Mini cameras can be hidden inside teddy bears (or whatever). If you have your home secured and let **no one else** inside, ever, I suppose you can feel reasonably somewhat secure that you’re not being videotaped/photographed/recorded (although who the fuck knows what the government is doing), as long as you’re not famous/infamous/whatever. The photo was taken at a party at the University of South Carolina, I just assumed there were people there who he didn’t know. You’re right though, it could have been anybody who took and leaked the photo, even a friend. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/172 "2009-02-06T15:37:01Z")
> [@jimpatro](#): > > So we’ll just overlook the innocent people along the border who get caught up in the line of fire. We only care about our American youth. It’s amazing that with twelve hundred posts your rampant dumbassery hadn’t become more obvious until now. ---
**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, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/173 "2009-02-06T15:45:42Z")
PLease dissect my statement and explain the dumbassery therein. ---
**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 6, 2009, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/174 "2009-02-06T15:46:14Z")
> [@tim314](#): > > This sort of comment is pretty obnoxious. You don’t know **dmatsch** ’s kid, so don’t pretend you know what she is or isn’t likely to try. You’re right, I don’t know **dmatsch’s** kid - I do know human beings, though, and I retract nothing. ---
**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, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/175 "2009-02-06T15:49:11Z")
> [@jimpatro](#): > > You’re always gonna try to find a way to reconcile your breaking of the law. Well, yes. Everybody does. > [@](#): > > You like pot so there just cannot be any negative consequences to smoking it. Not “cannot,” “should not.” They’re distinct concepts, and I was pro-legalization years before I ever tried the stuff. > [@](#): > > But you just can’t always have everything you want. What’s this got to do with the price of tea in Chinatown? You were making a point about how it’s immoral and nobody should break the law, but now it sounds like you’ve realized what a stupid argument that is. > [@jimpatro](#): > > To be a responsible citizen you have the obligation to follow our laws. Probably you’re wrong. Or you could be right if you separate a person’s responsibility as a _citizen_ from their more important responsibilities as a _human being_. (I wouldn’t say this applies to getting high, but you made no exceptions.) > [@](#): > > Or you can be obligated to go to jail. Yes, you have to be aware of and willing to accept the consequences of your actions. That’s the whole idea of civil disobedience. Again, not really the case with smoking pot, but there are definitely times it’s true, and none of this actually means the stuff should be illegal. > [@](#): > > I bet you don’t want him to if he’s considering you as his next victim. Finish this sentence please: the smoking of marijuana should be illegal because it harms \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. ---
**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, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/176 "2009-02-06T15:51:29Z")
Yep, I knew that was coming. Not saying it should be illegal. But it is. And so, cut and dry, we don’t break the law. ---
**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, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/177 "2009-02-06T15:52:35Z")
Gosh, it’s amazing how honor means nothing to so many. ---
**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, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/178 "2009-02-06T15:52:54Z")
> [@jimpatro](#): > > And so, cut and dry, we don’t break the law. Now you’re dodging moral responsibility AND simple questions. 😛 ---
**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, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/179 "2009-02-06T15:54:31Z")
And **Marley** , are you really saying that to be responsible human beings we should smoke pot? ---
**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 6, 2009, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135/180 "2009-02-06T15:55:02Z")
> [@spifflog](#): > > Phelps has no one but himself to blame. He was getting paid tens of millions of dollars to endorse products because of his image as a young upstanding role model to middle America. He had to know that Kelloggs wasn’t marketing their cereal to 30 year old stoners. That made me laugh out loud, considering what 30 year old stoners who are too baked to run to the 7-11 are eating. I guess you’re right in that Kelloggs isn’t actually _marketing_ to them. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooh-ooh-michael-phelps-smoked-pot-ooh-ooh-ooh-the-demon-weed/484135.md?page=10)