The guy trains so hard like few of you can imagine. What he did in olympics is so big that I doubt will happen ever again. One funny girl said that beckham and elton john achieved more than phelps. HELLOOO. Leave the guy in peace. Clinton did what he did with Monica and he was "bad" and than you elected the "good" president - the guy that did so much bad for the world not only usa.
So leave Michael alone and judge yourself or your kids and if they ever achieve something 2% as good as he did you'll be happy as happy can be. Sorry about my english it's not my home language.

By marko. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 1:37 ??.

Hey "JOE".... "condoning" means to approve.... "condeming" means to disapprove..... Use your words appropriately, please!! LOL!!

By Lana. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 1:35 ??.

think about all the people who look up to michael!! It will hurt him...and his endorsers.

By dissapointed. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 1:34 ??.

i like the way , people think they have the right to live your life for you .....

and try and influence your life ....in a detrimental way ...

your kids have a choice , and if they respect you ... they will no go out smoking bongs .....

'CHOICE' should sum it up ....

to me it's disgusting, how people react to such news

By stevearno. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 1:26 ??.

As anyone who has experienced college life and parties, alcohol and weed are usually involved. To me, he is being completely normal for a kid his age. He's a normal kid who happens to be an awesome swimmer. I say we let him live his life, he's not hurting anyone.

By AGoe. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 1:25 ??.

He didn't make any excuses and admitted he made a stupid mistake. He owned up to it! I can tell you from the type of work I do and working with the public, there are very few people who actually own up to their mistakes. Everything is always someone elses fault, or they have some other stupid excuse. Kudos to you Phelps for owning up to your mistake!

By Chelle. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 1:25 ??.

I always figured that even with his swimming ability, he was $.02 short of a dollar in the brain dept..

By t.g.. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 1:24 ??.

Just maybe that is all he is ,a good swimmer an nothing else. We all now for sure about his judgement.

By Just Bruce. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 1:22 ??.

This is for Chris C. and everyone else that says everybody has done it at least once, I haven't. I'm 25. I'm not perfect. I don't consider myself a christian. I have made mistakes. But don't generalize and say that everybody has tried smoking pot at least once. You lose credibility and look like an idiot. In college probably 80% of people somked, most regularly. It caused my roommate to fail out, and my little brother had to go to rehab. Most people have tried it yes, but not everyone. Do I care if Phelps did it? No, but I don't have to respect him for it either.

By Evan. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 1:31 ??.

All you people who idolize him are the ones that are wrong. He is a human being. Parents should be the role models for their children.

You guys put celebrities so high up that when they don't live up to what your idea of "perfect" is you shoot them down.

Get off your high horses and let him deal with his own issues. He does not owe anyone anything.

By So what. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 1:31 ??.

lemme ask something to the people who look down on this American hero. what the heck have you done with your life? this guy has done more with his life in a month than you, and your children, and your children's children will do in their entire life! so, methinks, i say the guy can do whatever the heck he wants, as long as it doesn't impede on anybody else's freedom.

By Chris J.. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 1:30 ??.

So, who needs a dope user on your kid's cereal box. Shame on you, Micheal Phelps. Needless to say, I won't buy anything with your face on it. Kids don't need to think that using this stuff is OK. It isn't. It's not legal.

By Chris C. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 1:12 ??.

thats it. love the guy when he's all glorified and kick him when he's down. typical! like none of you have ever been young or done regretable things in your life! hang out with a 23 year old for a day and see how he's just done what they've all done atleast once.

the guy has done way more good things than the rest of the olympic 'heros' put together. and now when he wants to have a break and just be normal you all act like he's doing the unthinkable! imagine the amount of pressure that's being put on him every second. he might not be a full proof saint but he's done a lot more to help people than most of the rich & famous out there! he set out to be a good role mode knowing what he had to do. and he's stuck to it by taking responsibility for his actions. so think of the times you have slipped up before pointing the finger of shame at someone you hypocrites!!

By lizzy. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 1:11 ??.

What a disgrace to the swimming world.

My children idolized Michael Phelps. And yes, they get up at 4:30 every morning to attend swim practice, and then they practice after school yet again.

My children were so disappointed to hear about Michael's drug use. My son immediatly threw Phelps' autobiography in the garbage, a book that he had received for Christmas and was excited to read.

How sad that someone like him, a role model for millions of potential olympians and young swimmers, would give such a black eye to a sport that gets far too little attention as it is outside of the olympic years.

Thank you, Michael, for taking away a bit of motivation, ambition, hopes and dreams, from our young people.

By AngryMom. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 1:10 ??.

who ever said david beckham has accomplished more than michael phelps is an idiot. even tony blair or elton john. isnt he the greatest olympian EVER?

By alex. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 1:10 ??.

I accept his apology and have no right to judge. I have done things in my life that I regret. That being said, there were also consequences to my actions that made me think twice and helped me learn from my mistakes. Life should be no different for Phelps.

By Patty. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 12:56 ??.

"What he did was wrong because its illegal." Case and point. If the government says its illegal it doesnt make it wrong. Why have so many laws been abolished? Did they all of a sudden change from being acceptable to not?

By Above the ignorance. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 12:48 ??.

i think that people just need to back off this topic and let him be. If they hold him back from joining the US in the 2012 olympics, then it is a choice that those who made the decision regret it. He deserves the right to have down time and be an adult. He spends his time training to only become better and never backs down from the chance of a win. Its not like they caught him pumpin in steroids. Ya its something he has done, and he regrets this decision but i bet there are multiple things that you people have done and you regret those decisions, and i do as well. This just happends to be one of the things that he truely regrets and he had already apologized because of the situation. So let the man have a break.

By karolyn. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 12:48 ??.

I think the bigger problem the worlk has is with those martini swilling bankers who have brought the free world to it's financial knee's. I say - any banker who has ever had a spot of booze should be banned from the banking industry for life.

By Joe. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 12:45 ??.

i cant believe you did that michael im so disappointed in you.im a swimmer to and it just hurts that you would turn to drugs!!!!

By hannah. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 12:52 ??.

michael phelps i cant believe you did that. i looked up to you. im a swimmer to and wanted to be like you and you messed it up for me. you won all those medals and now you are going to throw it all away on drugs thats great. kids are really going to want to follow that example now!!!!!

By hannah. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 12:49 ??.

everyone seems to forget that even though he's been so successful, he is still human. he's just a young college kid who made the mistake of letting someone photograph him. he's still successful and still a good role model and everything he has done for the swimming world should still be appreciated.

By michelle. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 12:41 ??.

so what, he's a human being. most human beings i've known have made a few mistakes in their lives. so have you. maybe if we didn't caricaturized him into some sort of hero we would understand that he just a 23 yr old dude, looking to have a little bit of fun. and as far as mistakes go this one is pretty mild. those in glass houses...

By CHUCKIE LUV. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 12:39 ??.

Marijuana isnt illegal in country that participates in the olympics. If he were from the Netherlands would his status in the 2012 olympics still be in question?

By Joe. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 12:30 ??.

Every single one of you that is condoning Mr. Phelps and saying that his sponsorships should be taken away are complete idiots. Everyone makes mistakes in life and I bet that many of you have tried drugs or something regrettable at least once. He is a 23 year old man who can make his own decisions. And I'm really not that sure if any of you would wake up at 4 in the morning to go to practice for 6 hours or more a day. These are GRUELING. Do you think all he does is smokes. Micheal made a mistake and those of you who don't understand that, than I guess are better than every single person in the world. Sure he made a mistake, but I know for a fact then when he is working he does 20x more than most of you. So be quiet because I don't see you representing the USA and doing better than anyone else before. Micheal can be devoted when he has to and I completly accept his apology

By Charlie. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 12:26 ??.

What he did was wrong because its illegal. At least he was man enough to admit his mistake. He could have given some lame-o excuse like "I didn't inhale" or just denied it like all the politicians do. Perhaps it's time for us to forgive a kid who made a stupid mistake. Hopefully they'll still let him participate in the Olympics. Remember just as setting a good example is a virtue, so is forgiveness.

By buggirl. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 12:25 ??.

Maggie, (By Maggie. Posted February 1 2009 at 11:42 PM.) you dolt. You posted "It is not our place to attack someone who has accomplished so much."

Yes, Maggie, IT IS our place!

By your way of thinking no one would ever be allowed to criticize anyone else's bad behavior if they had ever behaved badly themselves, no one would ever be allowed to criticize anyone who has accomplished "so much".

Sanctimonious nonsense.

Tony Blair has accomplished so much more than I ever will. I WILL criticize Tony Blair.

David Beckham has accomplished so much more than I ever will. I WILL criticize David Beckham.

Elton John has accomplished so much more than I ever will. I WILL criticize Elton John.

I sure as the Devil WILL criticize Micael Phelps who has accomplished LESS than any of them.

By Warren. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 12:20 ??.

he should have known someone would take a picture. not good judgement. he shouldnt do it in public because he knows everyone is watching his every move. idiot

By superdave. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 12:16 ??.

Who Cares! If your kids will smoke pot because Phelpes did then you haven't taught them well, they should know to make their own choices and that everyone makes mistakes. In the event of a mistake teach your children to then ask for forgiveness and never do it again. You are the same parents that if your child does something wrong you will stand up and say "Its not their fault, so-and-so did it first, my child is special", please. Isn't that life, make mistakes and learn from them. I am not disappointed in him one bit. Everyone should leave him alone when he is in the privacy of his own home! Its not like he had on the US speedo at the olympic pool hitting a bong saying "hey kids look at me, if you do this you will be cool too". Everyone get a life and you obviously need to pay attention to what your children are doing.

By jocelynn. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 12:24 ??.

a most unfortunate waste of years of effort and dedication on michael's part, as well as his mom's, but not a huge surprise. poor judgement exhibited after leading an extremely unbalanced lifestyle throughout his young life.

By Vinny. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 12:23 ??.

He is the best swimmer ever, why don't people just give him a break! He is young and we all make mistakes!

By Morris. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 12:22 ??.

Thats it -put the man in jail, take his endorsement money away, have the taxpayers support his incarceration - that's a much better solution.

By Steve. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 12:13 ??.

I was your biggest fan of all time....... you let me down big time!!!

By Vicky Huthinson. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 12:12 ??.

Go Cardinals!

By Pete. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 12:04 ??.

If he gave half of his endorsement money to charity, I would give him a pass.

By Neal. Posted 2? 2 2009 at 12:03 ??.

Well, first off, how many medals did he win? How much training has he been doing? How much stress do people who look up to him put on him? So he needed a release and went on a party rage...How old is he? Young. Its a lot of pressure to be who he is and anyone else who knows what its like. No one is perfect all the time! We are only human. So leave the kid alone, and let him act his age!

By Alexandria. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:58 ??.

Phelps is just another typical loser of his generation.
Here he has this great talent, but can't keep it together enough to set a good example for those younger kids who looked up to him.

Phelps is another American sports hero loser, plain and simple. He brings shame to all Americans.

This country doesn't need another "doped up" sports figure ... we've had plenty of this in the past. America needs true athletes who have the DISCIPLINE to be a role model.

Most of his generation are lazy, and don't have this discipline, they want everything easy and then when they have it, they "piss it away" like it's nothing.

Phelps is finished already .... what a shame!!!!!!!!

By Another Loser. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:57 ??.

He made a mistake, didn't deny it, and apologized for his behavior even though he owes NO ONE an apology. This man owes NO ONE anything. Whom did he hurt? Who does this affect but himself? Who are any of you to judge him?

By Twany. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:56 ??.

Well, as Peter Parker's uncle had said to him, "With great power, comes great responsability." Don't want to get into this is bad or that is bad, just to say without moralizing, that "with great public eye, comes greater public responsability."

By P.K.. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:55 ??.

Dope!

Kiss everything good bye for a stupid act.

Drugs are stupid and those who take them are even stupider.

No brains in this one. Brittany we got a new husband for you.

By JS. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:51 ??.

What was he thinking, and the answer is he wasn't? Kiss a lot of things good-bye for a moments stupidity.

Those of you alibing him are the problem, not the solution. Grow up. He needs to also.

Olympics athletes live in a dream world of their own making. Isn't pretty is it?

By Oren. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:48 ??.

I don't kow if you guys know this or not, but Phelps is human. I know, I know, might be a lot of info for you all to take in right now.
But, because hes human, he makes mistakes.
I am willing to bet millions of bucks that every single one of you who are here criticizing him have made multiple mistakes in your lives. No one is condemning you for your life choices are they? Nope. It is not our place to attack someone who has accomplished so much. And...clearly, pot isn't all that bad, if you can win Olympic gold medals, and win awards and still use it (yes, obviously for the first only on the off season, but still..)
I think you should just worry about your own lives and teach your children the morals you want them to have... though they may be celebrities and in the spotlight, its not their job to teach your children what is right and wrong.
Its yours.

By Maggie. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:42 ??.

You people who think smoking marijuana is no worse than smoking a cigarette better get a life. you guys are in denial of the hazards of this recreational drug, or any other drug, including alcohol. He should immediately renounce his aspirations from the 2012 Games because of a conflict in his lifestyle as opposed to the Olympic Committee rules on doping and drug use.
I would like to see the stat (many have claimed) that says no one has been killed as a result of marijuana use.
Those who are ridiculous are the ones who are denying the hazards.

By JeffG. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:31 ??.

I am a parent, and to all other parents, I hope you can forgive Michael Phelps; the same way you would your own 23 year old child. Also, if you need an athlete to be a role model to your child, you are a terrible parent in the first place. Many of you should learn to read and write instead of complaining about a kid smoking pot at college. That is what college is for.

By TDUBS. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:27 ??.

Gee...you mean sports training for 4-5 hours a day causes deviant behavior? Go figure. Unbalanced effort = an unusual need to let off steam. And for many athletes constant focus on winning can also = aggression during off time. Don't expect them to be able to instantly turn off the behavior we ingrain in them.

By Jon Right. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:26 ??.

Michael needs to remember that a lot of people look up to and respect him. He's only 23 and a far cry from other young Americans like Britney, Paris, etc. He's a role-model who represents human excellence and deserves the opportunity to illustrate how a strong and responsible person gets their act back together. Hopefully the judges will let him play again in 2012, it'd be a shame if this is all it takes to ruin his life.

By Rodney. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:23 ??.

you are the best swimmer i have ever seen and i have to say you WHERE a good role model.

By karsyn. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:22 ??.

If he was smoking a cigarette and drinking alcohol, that would be ok.

Because those are taxed drugs.

But if you look the National Health statistics and what the used of drugs, smoking and alcohol costs as medical bills etc., drugs could be categorised as vitamins.

The problems, both economical and humanitary, linked to cigarettes and alcohol are ASTRONOMICAL.

By FastEddie. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:20 ??.

I am very disapointed in Michael phelps, he was my role model and I swim and really looked up to him and I know he made a mistake but people mess it up. But he is still good swimmer I just can't believe it until I saw the picture.

By Ashtyn. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:18 ??.

Taking a certain action while evading its consequences and expecting to escape its consequences is the epitome of irrational behavior. Using drugs is wrong because of the self destructive consequences both intended and unintended. It is similar to those who wish to have more favors from the government and more government bureaucracy but who don't realize that there will be harmful consequences such as escalation of controls and the political denouement it forebodes such as omnipotent government and ultimately dictatorship.

By howard hughes. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:15 ??.

I'm a Mother, and my grown Sons, are Sports Minded Men. I hope they don't follow Michael Phelps ways. I'll pray for you Michael Phelps, and for your fans. Most especially, I'll pray for the kids, who aspire to be like you, will not follow your stupid examples, and go back to following Christ's Example, and their good parent's examples, and not yours.

By Catholic Mom. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:12 ??.

He's a loser. A professional athlete taking money to have a little integrity. He is the idol of a lot of swimmers who spend hours in the pool. Now they find out their idol is a loser, idiot.
Sorry Michael you blew it. Give the money back and say goodbye to the Olympics. All those hours in the pool for nothing.

By JAY. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:11 ??.

US federal law states pot is illegal. Some states in the US have voted to override that for medical use. The bottom line is it is illegal both by law and by US and Olympic rules. You play you pay. We all have to take responsibility for our actions.

I agree the bigger discussion is whether pot should be legalized or not. Maybe Phelps can be the poster child for the "Pro Pot" movement.

By Laura. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:11 ??.

He deserves it more than 99.999999% of the rest of the world. Let the man celebrate.

By Mike from Casper. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:10 ??.

Too bad for the people here who think everyone 'does it'. No, everyone DOESN'T do it. I didn't, I'm 99% sure my kids never have (no, I haven't been with the every second of their lives, hence the 99 instead of 100), and neither have most of their friends. We taught them that taking drugs is loser behavior. Because it is.

By Mickey. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:09 ??.

Mike is so kool. He may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but is certainly an excellent role model. Sure, it was wrong of him to smoke pot, but he's only a kid!!! Leave him alone for gods sake. If he wasn't in the olympics, there wouldn't be any fuss over a 23 year old smoking pot.... Bibi!

By hshshs. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:07 ??.

hahaha what a moron for doing this. i never thought he was the brightest of them all after watching interviews etc. doesn't surprise me.

By Little Johny. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:05 ??.

A friend told me weed and heroine and stuff like that can be bad for you. Phelps should stay away from these things.

By Dante. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:05 ??.

While we're ignoring all the rules for this (I just threw away about $7,000,000 in endorsements) idiot, why don't we also ignore the fact that HE chose to be a professional athlete. HE chose the sacrifices that come with it. HE chose to give up his social life. Oh..and before you give me that "if this were anyone else" crap.. what if it were a soldier in Iraq who got 15 people killed because he was getting high?? Gonna just say...oh well, he aint had a break in a year.. just chill.. relax.. yeah.. thought not.

By TJ. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:45 ??.

As long as he's clean in the next olympics or what ever event he competes in, who cares? If I were swimming against him I'd want him to smoke day and night right up until the whistle blows.

By Clay. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:51 ??.

It takes 20 years to build a reputation and 5 minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.
- Warrent Buffet

By yankee. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:54 ??.

Give the Man a break! he has just won 8 gold medals with out any steroids! He now gets caught smoking a bit of pot on his off season, who the hell cares! if I was part of the Olympic committee I would give him a 9th gold!

By Zak Mayo. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:54 ??.

We were not made to alter our minds. Marijuana is a mind altering drug. It is a proven fact that marijuana is spring board to heavier drugs. It is not harmless. Try Jesus. Drugs, friends, money they will all let you down. Jesus will never let you down. Obey Acts 2:38.

By Dug. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:53 ??.

Oh my god I wish people would ge a grip! Yes he is in the public eye but he didnt ask for that! He askes to be an amazing athlete, worked hard at it and got it! Ok I get people who are against pot heads who sit at homeand do nothing all day but get high, but this guy is not that,I think we can safely assume by his medal record! We all learn from our mistakes and he will from this. He made a mistake and he admitted it (which most celebs wouldnt dream of doing!) that for me not only makes him a great athlete it makes him an honest and humble one! For god sake after working so hard to gain his medals is he not aloud to let his hair down? Ok so he's bloody stupid for getting caught on camera and he'll be even stupider if h does anything like this again but that i feel is his only mistake! He's not a God, he's a 24yr old hard working lad! Give the guy a break.... Just one!

By Lauren La Coste. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:53 ??.

I love how everyone keeps saying there's nothing wrong with it. It's illegal. Its not what role models are supposed to do. And you can think there's nothing wrong with it all you want, but its going to hurt him and it should. Role models are not supposed to break the law and illegal drug use is certainly going to hurt his reputation if not get him locked up or banned from further competition.

By vlj. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:53 ??.

Bah, hes only human. Hes worked hard to get where is today and he should be allowed to party as he wants. Who can tell him that he doesnt have the right to chill!!

By TNK. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:45 ??.

I like Michael Phelps much better now that (1) he's been attacked by you and (2) he proves to be human.

How many 23 year olds do you know who *don't* smoke weed, at least once in a while.

It should be legal, as the majority of Americans, in poll after poll, say. Maybe this will help.

By Lee G. Leizit. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:45 ??.

EVERYONE needs to chill out. Cigarettes and alcohol kill Thousands of people every year, while cannabis has yet to be the cause of death of one. People these days are uptight and ridiculous. I love reading all the moms cry about how he "let us down". Its funny how ignorant people can be these days. Look at the FACTS...

By Matthew. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:45 ??.

I don't think anyone understands where we swimmers come from. We have practice twice a day. Everyday. And sometimes we just want to have fun. YES he obviously made the wrong choice by smoking pot but give him a break. Everyone needs someway to relax and get away from the same routine, he just happened to pick a not so great one... but chill out.

By Emily. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:43 ??.

I'm not surprised.....

By valon kosovo. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:43 ??.

i am very disappointing with Michael he was my idol. i have a 16 old child who i have encouraged her to follow Michale's steps., and now she is questioning if is OK to smoke marijuana and i do not what to say. Michael i hope you can get help bro. you have disappointing a lots of Americans.

By jo. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:41 ??.

I am a retired professional athlete (boxing). Phelps has acted in way that should keep him out of future games. Michael if you want to run around with strippers and play the bad boy. Enjoy the infamy man. You were Mr USA and managed to blow it. Lose your reputation and the companies that were paying you for it. You were raised better. No excuses.

By Ken Stepp. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:41 ??.

Oh man, that rocks. Phelps, our new poster boy for the permaculture movement. If I had the lungs the size of Phelps I would want to see how far I could toke too!!!! All those jerks in charge of the sporting world and the moral code of ethics. Please shut up. You were all fired with Bush. Leave Phelps alone? No leave Marijuana alone. Its natures Prozac.

I am sick to death with these neo con right wingin Reclaiming 7 mountains like Sarh Palin. I hope I can create a village where they do not exists.

Way to go Phelps. you have nothing to apoligize for.

By Russell. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:40 ??.

Americans always judging everything,
you should be worry more about yourselfs that somebody
that can do whatever he likes like all of you do.

By paco. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:40 ??.

This just proves that anyone can do anything if they like to smoke or drink. Yea it may be bad for you, but people who do it realize that and simply just want to enjoy life a little more thats all. Phelps is still a great competitor and a world champion regardless of his actions outside the pool. Legalize it!!!

By MaryJane. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:39 ??.

Why is it when an athelete, actor or anyone in a certain age group becomes famous and into alot of money the first thing they decide to do is drugs??? The one thing that can destroy them physically and mentally and they go right for it. Makes no sense to me, but I am no longer young and cannot see the draw to it.

By Kate Craig. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:39 ??.

WAIT WAIT WAIT !!!!! THERE IS NO SMOKE COMMING FROM THE BONG. THE WATER IS PERFECTLY CLEAR. HE IS NOT SMOKING WHEN THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN.

By JONH SMITH. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:36 ??.

some of ya'll people are unbelievable, ya'll sit around and wait for things like this to happen so you can start bashing people of things that they have done. who cares if he wants to somke pot, so what, he not doing anything your kids or yourself arent doing or havent done. get a life

By jason. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:38 ??.

The people on here that are bad mouthing ending prohibition are really ignorant. Do some research. Read some literature that's actualy backed by scientific research. There's no science saying it does any harm, and in fact there's a lot of science saying it has a lot of medical benifits. Have you ever asked why it's illegal? Do you know that if we legalized it, we could end our dependence on foreign oil all together, stop cutting down trees, and stop farming cotton. If you are against it, How does marijuana, or marijuana users negatively effect you. If you're worried about your kid becoming 'dope heads', just keep telling them the same lie your parents told you. Obvously it was enough to keep you ignorant, why wouldn't it work on your kids? Michael Phelps should run with this. I think it's time that celebrities, politicians, and legal officials who use(either recreationally or medically) take accountability and start spreading the truth about a plant that humans have been using for over 12,000 years. If anybody is interested in learning more truth, look into a book called "The Emperor Wears no Clothes", by Jack Herer, If you're interested in learning about a good way to teach your children the truch. look into a book called "It's Just a Plant" theres a websight for it. Thanks.

By Josh. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:36 ??.

How do you think he ate so much!

By YeahOhYeah dot com. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:36 ??.

Why is it when an athelete, actor or anyone in a certain age group becomes famous and into alot of money the first thing they decide to do is drugs??? The one thing that can destroy them physically and mentally and they go right for it. Makes no sense to me, but I am no longer young and cannot see the draw to it.

By Kate Craig. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:35 ??.

I hate to disagree with all the upstanding citizens that are against the recreational use of marijuana. Its a choice. No more addictive than alcohol, and in many peoples opinion, less harmful.
Scenario A: Its a friday night. 18 year old John goes out to a party where there is under age drinking. John consumes an intoxicating amount of alcohol and blacks out. In this uncontrollable "black out" state John gets angered in a conversation with a friend and ends up punching him in the face, breaking his nose. Enraged John gets into his car and because of his current mental state he is unable to drive safely. He crashes his car and subsequently his life is taken in the accident.
Scenario B: Its a friday night. 18 year old John goes to a buddies house for a quiet evening. While hanging out with his friends they all smoke marijuana. Their eyes get red and they cough a little from the inhalation of smoke. John goes to the cd player and puts on some music John has been recently listening to and deciedes to show his friends. They get hungry and order a pizza. They thank the pizza guy and give a nice tip for his troubles. After a nice quiet evening John and his friends call it a night and drive home safe and sound.

Which would you rather have your child doing?

By RS. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:35 ??.

Big deal. Weed should be more legal than alcohol! People need to lighten up about weed. It is so not like cocaine or heroin. It is so LESS harmful than alcohol. Relax, this just goes to show what a normal guy he is! Good for him!

By David. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:28 ??.

Of all the bankster run nightmares unfolding around our banker enslaved selves, and this is news. We are pathetic. "Silly human race."

By Mike. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:28 ??.

There's only two types of people who are against drugs: People who've never done drugs and people who really sucked at doing drugs. And everyone else has to suffer because of them.

By M.D.. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:28 ??.

Hey..what? if I smok weed i win a lot of olympic gold medals?
GIMME DA WID
MMMM GANGJA WID

By Andrea. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:27 ??.

What's the problem with him smoking weed? Would it be better to see him slamming a shot of whiskey? Maybe pounding a Bud or smoking a Marlboro?

If you have a problem with that picture then your problem is you.

By fred. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:27 ??.

So, his new quote can be "smoke, eat, sleep, and swim." He should be banned...it's illegal and he has set a bad example for young people who looked up to him! And as one source reported, he evidently is very familiar with smoking a bong. So, this evidently isn't a one time incident!

By Doris. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:27 ??.

First of all this gy is a great young althlete with no dad to guide him no excuse but it wold be nice for him to have a postive male roll model. he smoked a little weed banged a few strippers big deal he is 22 years old horny and having fun if you cant party when your single successful and young when can you. Its was a little weed at least he isnt the president or two former presidents two did coke one didnt inhale right the problem is these ass wipe news papers and idiots with cell phone cameras nobody can piss on a dumpster without being on the front page or all over the internet. Socity istotally fucked these day 20 years ago everyone was partying and banging strippers now a days it gotcha news reporting bunch of deuchbag reporters and christ cant anyone keep his mouth shut anymore we have be come a society of gossiping pussies shut the hell up people and put those dam camera phones away

By paul. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:26 ??.

We shouldn't applause him for his inappropriate actions and he should be more considerate because he is constantly in the public eye for his success, but give him a break. He is 23 and to all of the parents that are sitting there saying "Oh what a bad example to my daughter who is a swimmer", I guarantee your children aren't angels and his actions won't influence them anymore than the television shows they watch.

Get over it!

By Michaela. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:25 ??.

Funny how the morality police are up in arms because this story disproves their propaganda about how only losers smoke weed. More people smoke than you realize. It's far safer than getting drunk on booze. Legalize it. Tax it. Stop criminalizing harmless or victimless behavior.

By Luke. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:15 ??.

I love hearing from all these perfect people who have never made a mistake in their life critisize a 23 year old kid who made a mistake. Give him a break. He is 23 and pot should be legal anyway. This should be an absolute non issue.

By Ty. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:14 ??.

Seriously, there are worse things he could be doing than marijuana people! Get over it and talk to your kids about drugs instead of pretending like they don't exist in the world. Kids see so many bad things at school, I'm sure they can handle this picture.

By Katie. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:16 ??.

i agree with phelps i think that everyone makes mistakes and its not his fault for all we know those dirt bags forced him or got him drunk on purpose so that they could sell the picture to the tabloids . im only 13 and i look up to him as my idol i also swim i have bought his book i have read it threw and i think he deserves a break every were he goes he is being watched so cut him so slack and i wish him luck in 2012 and no matter what he will always be the best

By matthew beeton . Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:16 ??.

He is a horrible role model for our children who already smoke pot.
PLEASE
The only reason pot isn't legal in the USA is because the ALCOHOL lobby doesn't want us cutting into their market share.
This is fact, not fiction.
<\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
... pass that phatty to your daddy !

By Haywood Matthews. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:15 ??.

Lex sez parents DO NOT WANT their children to smoke pot and the Michael Phelps has shown himself to be a POOR ROLE MODEL. First, each of us chooses his own behavior. Michael's actions have probably disqualified him from further Olympic competition. If so, so be it. Those are the rules. Secondly, yo are a fool if you point towards athletes for role models for your children. As a group, the have repeatedly proven that they may actually be at the other end of the ethical spectrum when measuring their admiral traits. The hard work and sacrifice that leads to amateur athletic excellence is usually a prelude to professionalism and some financial payoff, otherwise why do it? Michael is just the latest of them who has to face the music from a bad decision. That said, Wm. F. Buckley, Jr. was the first pol, I think, who championed de-criminalization of marijuana, having the Federal government grow and distribute it and use the proceeds to pay off the National debt. He was simply ahead of his time or, perhaps, he was not running for anything because people still believe that government can legislate morality.

By HalB. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:20 ??.

Maybe being high makes him lighter in the water. Has anyone ever thought of that? DUH.

By Gig. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:41 ??.

Nice going, Michael! Not only did you just damage your image in the eyes of all parents who looked to you as a suitable role model for their children, but I imagine that your endorsement sponsors will see this behavior as LESS THAN DESIREABLE! I guess any fallout is left to be seen, but I imagine some companies may not want the "bong-hitting" Phelps as the marketing face for their product.

By Stacy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:41 ??.

I'm guessing a lot of you don't swim. Try it some time, and then you can talk about the kid like he's a criminal. Otherwise just shut up. He's a human being, and I don't know about you, but we all makes regrettable mistakes, not that this is a mistake, at all. Pot's gotta be legalized. I'm guessing half the parents that commented here not only smoked pot, but snorted too, among other things. To you people: stop being dumb hypocrites. just let it go.

By human. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:40 ??.

The four-year ban for drug-taking should be applied I think.
Why should there be made any exceptions for Phelps?
If the ban is not applied, I think the sporting chiefs will have lost their credibility.

By Ban him. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:11 ??.

He really is a dope... when you have dozens of endorsement deals worth millions, you do whatever you can to protect it. This guy can afford a private place to smoke pot in; it's just silly to have done this where he could get caught.

He should lose a few endorsement deals just for the stupidity of his actions, whether you think smoking pot is a crime or not.

By TenSigh. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:10 ??.

Oh and he was in California. How do we know this isn't medical marijuana?

By He's in cali. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:10 ??.

Remember high school and college...Micheal never had any of those experiences he spent his life in a pool. so cut the guy a break he has worked his whole life for a sport and has never gotten a chance to be a normal kid.

By lindsay ross. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:09 ??.

Looks like he's not the great guy everyone thought he was!! He can kiss alot of endorsements goodbye.

By Kenny. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:08 ??.

The guy chose to break rules that call for a 4-year suspension. What an idiotic choice. Al you folks who say, 'Leave him alone, just let him relax,' are misguided. What other rules that call for mandatory 4-year suspensions would you encourage an athelete at his calibre to do in the name of simple relaxation? Hope he enjoyed the pot and it was well worth his career....

By Brad. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:08 ??.

wow man

By ridinthewave . Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:08 ??.

Marijuana is still a drug?? haha. I think its funny how people are freaking out about something this little. OMG, he was out partying and smoked some pot too. Most of the ppl that get upset over pot, dont know much about it. If he was doing some coke or meth, Id understand that problem. Hopefully he doesnt get screwed over by this just cause ppl want to set an example. What does Weed hurt??? Its going to make him hungary and a little fat, so he will just have to work out that much more. Pot doesnt make you lazy, that is for sure

By SkiSlayer. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:46 ??.

Ok people - remember YOUR youth ! now go about your business and show him some compassion - he will grow up to be an outstanding adult - back off and give him a chance.... I know of no one out there that is without a "history" .... it's what you become as an adult that says something about the "human being you have become"

By cj. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:46 ??.

So what. The alcohol he drank was probably more detrimental to his health than the weed he smoked. Marijuana just has a bad rep because it's illegal, when really it is much healthier than alcohol or tobacco.

Phelps is 23 years old, is he not allowed to have a normal social life? I can tell you plenty of other 20-25 year old's have been smoking plenty of weed too.

By Stefan Taylor. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:45 ??.

The olympics is a big giant corrupt mound of dung which needs to be dismantled! I hope he learns from this and turns it around for the better.

By sdiniak. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:45 ??.

The thing that gets me about this is that if a normal, everyday person, was caught smoking weed we would get in trouble with the law but because he is who he is, nothing will happen.

By Jaison. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:45 ??.

My daughter is a high school swimmer who looks up to Phelps. She has a big poster of him on her wall. This will be bad news for her. It's bad news for me because I am trying to teach her that drugs and drinking can screw you up. Oh well. There goes that lesson.

By marls. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:06 ??.

He's a pothead. So what? We've already got about 3/4 of the celebrity population. What does it hurt an olympic swimmer? I guarantee it wouldn't hinder his performance.

By Matthew. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:43 ??.

"Sure are a lot of losers that want dope legalized. You need some major help if you need pot to have fun in your life. Grow up." Oh boy, are you blind. If you ever get out of your house, drive by some bars and see how packed the lots are. Hey and how about a Super Bowl party w/o beer! whahooo your a good time. Wow pony.

By Cynthia. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:22 ??.

Weed is pretty bad, but he has done some amazing things for the US and I think we should give him a break. He's 23! He has to experience life sometime!

By Christopher. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:21 ??.

Micheal Phelps needs to get his act together pretty fast or he will not be able to compete in the 2012 Olympic games. By Taylor Carter

By Taylor Carter. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:20 ??.

USA Swimming does not need Michael Phelps; the real swimmers have been in the pool the past 3 months; party on Mike

By dak. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:28 ??.

Its so obvious this is an attempt to bring a winner down. He needs to make a comback and how the world what he can do. Especially now.

By L M. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:26 ??.

Let he who is without sin be the first to throw stones.

By Jarrod. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:26 ??.

Just goes to show that we're all human.

By M.J.L.. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:33 ??.

its a custom series ROOR... what a G. No one should have to apologize for a plant that is natural and has been around since before modern civilizations....

By mike. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:33 ??.

I totally agree with most of the sensible posters here who have shown support towards Mr Phelps - and what a load of hypocrisy the 'anti' posters have shown. The greatest cost to the NHS in the UK comes from ALCOHOL abuse! Cannabis users don't attack each other, piss in the street or vandalise town centres as a matter of routine each weekend - but drinkers do.

By Jake Sutton. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:32 ??.

He is supposed to be a hero.. someone we look up to. I thought he would have more respect for himself than to do something like this.

By Jill. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:31 ??.

For those of you who say it's not a big deal..he can't catch a break.... Get your heads outta your buns! My daughter idolizes Michael- pictures of him outline her myspace page, her locker at school- his wholesome attitude was something she wanted ti imitate with her love for the sport. It's devastating to teens and pre-teens to be let down by watching some athlete ruin their life with drugs. Nonetheless, the athlete who pisses away his own chances by acting ridiculous.

By Mom of 3. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:31 ??.

Who Cares! Leave him alone.

By lisa. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:31 ??.

I really dont think this is a big deal. It's marijuana. Maybe he was really stressed from all of the NEWS being on his ass so he needed a way to get rid of it.
I think him pounding shots is way worse. I think he shouldnt appoligize. He is being a 23-yr-old.

By Paige. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:30 ??.

Hey all you parents out there who don't want your kids smoking pot:

It isn't your decision. Read again:

It isn't your choice. You cannot tell your kids what they can and can't do. You can try pathetically, but in the end they are their own individuals. They will make their decisions for themselves. If you try and make decisions for them that they would not make for themselves, it will only alienate them from you and make them even less likely to consider your opinion.

So stop being stupid about it. Tell them your opinions and why you hold them, but let THEM decide what they want to do.

NOT YOUR CHOICE.

By Reason. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:14 ??.

Oh, my God, Phelps is my idol!

By Gigi. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:14 ??.

Bottom line, all the rest of the comments means nothing!!

IT'S ILLEGAL.

By cooldesert. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:13 ??.

He got a big head and acted stupid.

How can any company endorse a pot head?

Too bad.....the fall of the golden boy.

By Islamorada. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:12 ??.

a lil weed aint never hurt nobody. ya'll freaked out homies gots to chill out and maybe suck on the pipe a bit yourself to help u get that relaxation on, know what i'm sayin.

By lala man. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:12 ??.

more proof that marijuana is a terrible drug that nobody can accomplish anything on....

By Michael. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:10 ??.

yo mike, holla at me next time yo azz iz in miami....PEACE

By Ricky Williams. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:07 ??.

I used to think that Phelps was a dweeb.
Now I think he might be an alright guy.

J
new york city

By John. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:00 ??.

there is nothing wrong with smoking pot.

By shelly. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:07 ??.

legalise the herb

By Mo. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:06 ??.

Everyone needs to stop right now and take a deep breath. Everyone is getting so upset that Phelps is smoking pot and no one has said a single thing about the fact that he's drinking. There is no better definition of hypocrite than this.

By Brian. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:06 ??.

If he is not in competition right now, why bother him. This just shows that Americans are shallow and petty. Still emersed in a Puritanical system of life. Good to look at only.
Did he or did he not, do wonderfully in the Olypics??
YES!!!! HE DID!!!
Had he been drinking Vodka all night, no one would give a damm.
Anastasia

By anastasia. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:05 ??.

IS HE REALLY SMOKING WEED? BECAUSE I DONT SEE THE SMOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By EDUARDO. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:05 ??.

AWESOME, LEGALIZE IT NOW!

By AWESOME!. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:05 ??.

OMG! A 23-year-old smoked pot! WHO CARES?!?!? Get a life.

By E. Costello. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:03 ??.

It doesn't matter how many people do it, it still is illegal, disgusting, and extremely stupid.

By Blah. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:03 ??.

He is HUMAN. Leave him alone let him do what he wants. The friend that took the picture isnt a real friend seeing as they sold the picture to the newpaper. Let him be who he wants to be if it hurts him winnign more metals then its his OWN fault. Dont let the media make it harder on him if he fails out in 1012

By Matt. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:56 ??.

Hey, guyz! He won a helluva a lot of medals for his country and he DESERVES A BIT OF INDULGENCE...

By Art. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:54 ??.

and exactly what is the problem, legailize and tax it.

By cliff. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:53 ??.

"He didn't hurt anybody" appears to be the mantra of some here. He didn't hurt his mother, sibblings and relaitves? He didn't hurt the Olympic ethos? He didn't hurt those kids that look up to him? He didn't hurt efforts to help young kids to choose between drugs and healthy sports? He didn't hurt the companies and their employees who put their names behind this dope? He didn't hurt his country? He didn't hurt anybody?

By J. Alejandro. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:53 ??.

I hear that...leave the guy alone.

By Ramiro Zarate. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:53 ??.

pursuit of happiness. so many haters out there.

By hmm. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:52 ??.

Nothing illegal here. Weed isn't illegal to have in your system.

By LOL. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:44 ??.

Oh my god! What a great desaster!

By Brigitte. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:44 ??.

And the big deal is????
I recently was ridiculed and fired for something that happened in my personal life and had nothing to do with work...no not drugs or anything else that would hinder my work performance....people should just tend to their own lives and stop trying to tend things that have nothing to do with them. 99% of the population is rude and uneducated and have no right to judge anybody....just let him ride the way he wants to people!!!!

By Ash. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:43 ??.

Poor Michael! He can't catch a break! Mind your own business and let him live his life the way he wants to. By the way, you're not so perfect yourself seeing as many of the previous generations and current smoked and are smoking weed like there is no tomorrow. So back off, would you? You bunch of hypocrites.

By Jon. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:48 ??.

If I had Michael's coin I'd be toking the best bud too ;-} Hopefully he'll become an advocate for the legalization of marijuana. But, he'll probably make a tearful confession and go into rehab.

By GanjaGuy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:48 ??.

Sure are a lot of losers that want dope legalized. You need some major help if you need pot to have fun in your life. Grow up.

By d.d.. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:47 ??.

Both sides:
Pot is illegal, he should not have done something illegal. period.
Pot's legal status should be reconsidered. We are wasting time and money trying to hold the line on weed. A drug no more harmful or addictive than alcohol or caffine, both of which add billions to US revenue each year. Pot while illegal supports drug lords and consumes tax dollars which would be better spent on stopping the hard drugs. If our govenment had any brains, they would use the extra revenue from legal pot sales to declare full scale war on the hard drugs which are really causing the problems.

By John G. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:47 ??.

What's the big deal? Phelps did nothing wrong... it's his business if he wants to hit the bong... our laws are just stupid. Just shows you can smoke buds and still be successful. :-)

By Joseph B. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:47 ??.

Legalize it!

By Bob Marley. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:47 ??.

Oh my god! What a great desaster!

By Brigitte. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:45 ??.

Short-term effects of marijuana include:
Distorted perception (sights, sounds, time, touch)
Problems with memory and learning
Loss of coordination
Trouble with thinking and problem-solving
Increased heart rate, reduced blood pressure
Sometimes marijuana use can also produce anxiety, fear, distrust, or panic.

Effects on the Brain

The active ingredient in marijuana, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, acts on cannabinoid receptors on nerve cells and influences the activity of those cells. Some brain areas have many cannabinoid receptors, but other areas of the brain have few or none at all. Many cannabinoid receptors are found in the parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thought, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement.
When high doses of marijuana are used, usually when eaten in food rather than smoked, users can experience the following symptoms:

By NotaPotSmoker. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:45 ??.

Wow. You all should probably just chill out.. Its not THAT big of a deal. You guys sit here and rag on everyone as if you have never done things to be regretted. Take a look at yourself for once, you get on his case about it cuz he is suppose to be this big hero! FYI: he won the olympics. Its not the end of the world. Lets be a little more mature.

By Sam. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:45 ??.

Who cares if he gets laid back, gets drunk, & smokes some dope. He deserves a break & a time to have fun just like all kids his age. He's worked very hard for all his medals. He should be able to have fun during his break in training. Lay off the guy.

By Rick Young. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:38 ??.

So he's not a comic book hero. He's human! Leave it be!

By Gil Oberdas. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:47 ??.

Get over it people. Don't we have more important things going on in our society. We all do things at some point in our lives that we wish we never did.

By wendy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:47 ??.

I could care less what people do in their own time. The only thing I worry about with this picture is that there are MANY MANY kids that look up to him... he is a role model, whether he wants to be or not. Kids see this and say to themselves, "well, he won all those medals AND smokes.... I can too, what harm will it do." I sure as hell don't want my kids thinking its ok because he does it. Next time you smoke Michael, make sure nobody is taking your picture... dummy!

By lex. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:47 ??.

Here's the dish: There are MANY, MANY parents who DO NOT WANT their kids smoking pot. It's OUR CHOICE....just like smoking is some of yours.

When a role model, an athlete who KNOWS what this could do to his career shows such callous disregard, it IS significant.

The only thing MORE SIGNIFICANT are ALL OF YOU who (regardless of your personal views on the topic) insists that its OK to break a LAW because you DISAGREE?

That's not the way it works folks. Laws are not SHOPPING LISTS that you can pick and choose from. And an idiot like PHELPS who knows the potential fall out who chooses to do it anyway (again- regardless of your personal feelings) he proves himself a MORON and certainly not a ROLE MODEL.

By CWSUS. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:40 ??.

It sounds as though most of the people who commented do not have children.

As a parent, It is not good when your 11 year old son, who is a swimmer, looks to Mr. Phelps as a hero and in school he is told not to do drugs.

Mr, Phelps let USA and our youth down.

JM

By James L. Meyer. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:39 ??.

I agree let him party on. Smoke, drink, and snort
whatever makes his boat float. Life is great live it and to those who like to judge, eat shit and die.

By Gregory. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:39 ??.

oh well..
noones perfect...

By R. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:39 ??.

The real tragedy here is that the dude drinks bud light out of plastic cups.

By Mikey. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:38 ??.

Phelps is my hero. He shouldnt be seen as a bad person because that is college life. Those who have never smoked cannabis are losers. He deserves a break from all the hard work hes done.

By castro. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:38 ??.

"Any true progressive thinker understands that for humans to grow and survive as a species, society must triumph over individuality."

"Our politicians who know more about everything than anyone else in the country say it's bad, it's bad."

This is what progressives actually think.

By Tezcat. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:55 ??.

The rest of the world is always looking for any way they can to bring Americans down to their level in the wake of our vast and enormous accomplishments. This guy won more gold medals than a lot of countries. Y'all should spend less time gossiping and more time in the weight room.

By Johnson. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:51 ??.

leave him alone. he's apologized for it-end of story.

By Ellie Palemr. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:50 ??.

ANYBODY WHO THINKS 30%+ OF THE POPULATION SHOULD GO TO JAIL FOR A HARMLESS ACTIVITY IS BRAIN DAMAGED BY THE AUTHORITIES. THINK FOR YOURSELF, STUPID!!

By Knowsis. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:50 ??.

He needs to go to prison.....

Jesus !!!

By Prison. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:49 ??.

Man Made Liquor
God Made Pot
God Is Perfect
Man Is Not

By Colton. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:48 ??.

The bottom line is this... He was not using a drug that would enhance his performance. If anything it would be a disadvantage for him and an advantage for his opponents! So who cares! I know a lot of Nationally ranked swimmers that smoke off season. To me...smoking pot is equivelant to sitting down and drinking a beer. If it was legal no one would care! Everyone is just obsessed with watching a superstar rise and fall. They are just envious. He's a regular guy....just swims faster then the rest of us...no big deal!

By Jamie. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:56 ??.

I agree with EMR below, I like the thought process. If it's so bad that it can ruin a career why don't we make all those on Unemployment and welfare take a drug test prior to picking up their check??? Might help the federal deficit...

By Mike in Freakville. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:56 ??.

Why is anyone shocked at this, why does anyone care. I am 50 years old and I can't help but think that this young man understands the "there's a time and a place" principle. He obviously wants to celebrate, so let him enjoy himself and his achievements. No one would be saying anything if he was holding a beer. At my age, I don't trust anyone who says they haven't ever tried a drink or a smoke, unless they are under 18 and neither should you because you know they are lying. Get real people, you too, sheeple.

By johnnyT. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:38 ??.

wow man....is that freedom rock? Well turn it up!

By mark. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:38 ??.

The only thing that Mr. Phelps did wrong here was apologize: Everyone with the even the slightest modicum of intelligence knows that there's nothing wrong with smoking a little bit of marijuana every once in a while.

In fact, I'd venture to say that many of the people commenting on this article would probably be greatly improved by a touch of THC exposure.

By E Rhodes. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:36 ??.

It's weed, not a hardcore drug. It is more natural that coffee, beer, or cigarettes. It's said to be safer and more effective as a pain reliever than Acetaminophen or Aspirin. The guy is amazing, pot or not. Who cares.

By Somebody. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:36 ??.

He can kiss his endorsement deals GOODBYE. I can't believe people are actually DEFENDING his behavior. Hello? Pot shrinks your genitals and turns you into a talking monkey.

By NotaPotSmoker. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:35 ??.

Don't worry guys, theres aways ONE RULE FOR THE RICH, and another for the rest of us.

The olympic doping agency will definitely excuse him for this fluff, due to all his multi-million dollar price tag

By ap. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:22 ??.

No he was smoking Salvia, which is 100% legal.

By Jonny. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:28 ??.

wow really its just a little pot..
people need to chill out!!
this just goes to show that "BAD" people arent the only ones lighting up!

THANK YOU!!

By G to the A to the B to the E. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:28 ??.

This will not kill his career. wasn't there a snowboarder in Canada that tested positive for pot? Nothing happened to him. pot is not a performance enhancing drug. if anything, it hinders it. the only laws here should be where he was smoking it. His career is fine, but the endorsements are going to be slim until he wins gold medals again in 2012.

By TDubb. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:28 ??.

My 7 year old son found this article and came to me and asked me what "pot" was, "Mommy, what is pot and what is Phelps doing in this picture?" My son idolizes Phelps and watched every Olympic event he was in. Imagine the horror that went through my mind explaining to my young seven year old son what pot was and what Phelps was doing. Being a teacher, I explained it to him and gave him all the negative implications.

I went in his room today just a few minutes ago and I saw that he tore down the four posters of Phelps he had hanging over his computer desk. I was saddened a bit to see him lose trust in one of his heroes but also thankful that he understood that drugs aren't good.

By Marge Tella. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:28 ??.

It's the end of the world...bah!

By joi. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:28 ??.

I think this is proof that pot makes you stupid. If he had done drugs that make you paranoid, he would have know they were out to get him. I bet someone will use this to drop the sponsorship contract with him. The friend who took this picture, needs to have an ass kicking from all of mike's true friends.

By ERIC. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:27 ??.

Phelps really did not surpass Mark Spitz's 7 gold medals for swimming anyway. I believe it was the 7th gold medal where Phelps only had one hand touching the wall when both hands needed to touch the wall at the same time. His opponent (from a foreign country, but whose name I don't recall) his hands both touched the wall simultaneously. I don't know why the referees gave Phelps the win and cheated the other guy. Therefore, Mark Spitz should really be tied with Phelps.

By Doreen. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:26 ??.

Big Deal!! It should be legal and taxed just like tobacco and alcohol!

By Miles. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:25 ??.

oh my gosh. and he admitted the authenticity of the picture. oh michael! he messed up HUGELY this time! i can't believe him. it's forgivable but i don't know how much pitty the law will give him. i hope he learns but i still love him.

By Meghan. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:29 ??.

When Sarah Palin's daughter became pregnant or when her daughters boyfriends mother was busted with drugs, the world liberals wanted her head on a platter. I think Michael Phelps should be forever banned from swimming professionally, banned from the Olympics and dumped by all of his sponsors. I for one will never buy any product that he represents and I'm the typical upper-middle-class that buys the kind of stuff he is paid to advertise. The rules are simple, they apply to everyone. Mr. Phelps, you made your bed, now you must lay in it!

By Big-D. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:25 ??.

wow, i am truley at a lose for words. Micheal, you are my idol, and still are, just stop

By at a loss for words. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:25 ??.

Everyone smokes pot, all you anti pot keeners need to mind your own business. Phelps can smoke and still win 8 medals, your all just jealous that you dont get high.

By Andy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:24 ??.

As an avid and loyal reader, it is sad to read this article and the fuss made over it. I know only too well the stresses and lack of social life when you are a good swimmer. Three times a day in the pool, seven days a week, and this is all through your youth. Would the News of The World not better serve the people of the world by investigating and reporting things like the Jersey Authorities doctoring trial tapes before the transcription process, and indeed, sacking their corrupt police officers instead of covering everything up and getting away with it ?!!! If you fancy this story instead, please contact me. I would be happy to pass you the evidence.

Please NOTW, no more trivia. Kindest Regards Ian

By ian evans. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:24 ??.

I think this is crazy talking about how he should be suspended and punished for some silly picture of a guy smoking pot. Im sure many of you have smoked pot or know someone that your close with that used to smoke pot. I think we need to legalize marijuana already, it would help with the economy. The gov. could put a high tax on it and sell it for alot of money. It would also keep crowding out of jails, and eliminate drug dealers. Pot is no worse then alcohol! Alcohol kills millions of people and pot doesnt kill anyone! there is no such thing as a overdose on pot, but yet you can drink yourself to death and its still legal.

By brock. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:24 ??.

Who cares? Just one more successful guy who uses cannabis occasionally, one more example of how little impact the drug has on your life. Personally I graduated in the top 1% from Harvard while smoking once or twice a week. (Nobody reading will probably believe that, but it's true!) It's no worse for your cognitive functioning than alcohol, and it's a lot less rough on your body.

By John M.. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:24 ??.

uh... who cares??? its NOT LEGAL! come on people. what kind of role model is he now. there are lots of other things he can do to relax.

By swiimm. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:24 ??.

YOU SHOULD HAVE NEVER DONE THAT BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO THINK THAT YOU INSPIRE THEM AND THIS IS HOW YOU TREAT THEM AND NOW YOUR GOING TO PAY

By JESSIE. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:54 ??.

I'm in the who cares category. It doesn't affect anything or hurt anyone.

So all of you out there who care. The types that if they think they smell it, they call the authorities to try to have them come and harrass the poor sucker. Well then you can just waste some more of your lives caring about things that dont affect you whatsoever.

By Kate. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:54 ??.

Who cares? Give him a break! He trains all the time and has to own up to a huge reputation he deserves some time off. So he's made a few mistakes, so what? Haven't we all? Every single person accusing and criticizing probably has done something stupid a few times. We're only human, not God. Michael Phelps is a normal guy who just happens to be one hell of an amazing swimmer. Give it a rest people.

By Mia.. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:53 ??.

This kid is just a punk....a rich punk for now. Sports figures are not heros. There is nothing selfless about what they do. Most are over paid, under worked & though talented...they're still punks.

Real heros are those that do selfless acts for others without demanding reward or being in the spot light.

By S Griffith. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:52 ??.

I wish Phelps to recover from this wrongdoing as he deeply regrets. However, it is not RIGHT for some people here to say there is nothing wrong in his behavior. What is wrong or right is not based on how many people do it or not. No matter how many people do it, something wrong is always wrong.

By Dan. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:52 ??.

I wish Phelps to recover from this wrongdoing as he deeply regrets. However, it is not RIGHT for some people here to say there is nothing wrong in his behavior. What is wrong or right is not based on how many people do it or not. No matter how many people do it, something wrong is always wrong.

By Dan. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:51 ??.

Oh pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!!! He smoked weed - give it a rest.

By Shelley. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:46 ??.

I'm a mom, have smoked pot, but not since having kids - my opinion is that if people want to get high, it is their decision. They make that decision knowing it is illegal and knowing the consequences if they are caught. Just like people drank during the prohibition. Unfortunately, decisions made after drinking a lot are rarely the best in one's life. He is young and in a position that carries a lot of responsibility as a gold medalist. The sad part is that if he were an actor the publicity would help not hurt him. Part of being an adult is taking responsibility for your actions. While taking bong hits don't seem like that big a deal now, if you ever run for public office or apply to the CIA or FBI, it ends up coming out. Everything you do has a way of coming back to bite you in the ass. So kids, have fun, enjoy your youth, but look to tomorrow.

By Sherry. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:42 ??.

This story will be making the rounds in the high schools and kids will be saying ' see, even Mike is smoking dope'
I can't figure what is more stupid, smoking or letting your friends photo you while smoking. I wander if he inhaled?

By randy j.. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:36 ??.

Hey he just use some of the MONEY to buy a Tommy Chong vintage Bong for a collector item!!!Cheech&Chong live on!!

By Cc. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:32 ??.

calm down. it's weed, people smoke it. Is it really worth losing sleep over? He can still win metals so get out of his business.

By UKstudentALLdAY. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:32 ??.

So he is actually a 23 year old human?!? Oh the shame! Leave him alone! Gotta lot of the cannibas pots calling the kettle black.

By Ronn. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:31 ??.

Smoking is bad for you period, and
God put poisonous rattlesnakes on the planet so I guess it is ok to play with them too. Potheads make dopey arguments for their need to get high to cope- and contribute shit to others-keep your smoke to yourself by the way, or I will ram those joints down your throats.

By Socrates. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:28 ??.

Given the amount of people who smoke Pot perhaps we should reconsider the public views of Pot rather than look down on Phelps. Honestly does anybody believe smoking Pot is going to help him win any medals? This will hurt his ability to take deep breaths and have a negative effect on his stamina. The guy had a bad night and made a bad choice he should not have to suffer the rest of his life for it.

By DC. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:11 ??.

Unless he was operating a vehicle or something, then this is a non-story.

Who cares if he smokes weed? He's still treating his body with a lot more care and respect than the fat, cheesy, worthless slobs who are slamming him from the safety of their computers. As far as it being illegal...whatever. It would make more sense to make fat people illegal - their eventual health problems will cost us all a lot more money than a world class athlete smoking a bong.

Tend to your own pathetic lives and leave the kid be.

By Chris . Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:11 ??.

For all we know it was ginseng in that bong. I cannot believe how many people here are happy to see a person torn down like this. You are all a bunch of losers. I am embarrassed that to be a part of the same race. He did nothing wrong.

By Jim. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:10 ??.

a lot of people do it ... i don't know why we're making such a big deal about it ... just because he's famous doesn't mean he can't relax and have a little fun once in a while

By Manny. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:09 ??.

It's understandable that all the Big Pot crowd would come out in support of Mike. I'm going to take the 'wait and see' approach. Pot IS against the law and is banned in Olympic competition. I didn't know of the 4 year restrictions, though. Like I said, we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

By twinstick. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:09 ??.

"No smoke in the pipe, no lighter in hand!! doesnt look like he is actually smoking to me."

Best comment so far...

By scott. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:08 ??.

Yeah WEED IS SOOOOOO EVIL!! You can smoke it and win 8 gold medals!!!! good thing that it's illegal It's soooo BAD!!!

By Mike Oxmaul. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:08 ??.

Absolutely nothing wrong with it.......those who think there is....Get over yourself!

By Mike. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:30 ??.

See thats where your wrong. It's nobodies business until he won an olympic gold metal. Then it became everyones buisness. Just as an elected representative smoking a bong would become everyones buisness.

By Mike. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:30 ??.

Leave him alone!

By Randy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:29 ??.

Who cares. He has already been paid millions of dollars from sponsors.

By DC. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:29 ??.

It's sucks that his career could be ended by this, especially when our own presidents have admitted smoking pot and even doing coke! Why the hell can't people let a guy kick back and relax for a bit. The guy has worked his ass off and it's not like he's running the damn country.

By Someone. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:29 ??.

He may be America's golden buy but today his image has tarnished. The shadow of this behavior has followed him, racing him just as an opponent in the pool, only to now defeat the fallen star in shame. What a disappointment!

By Dominique. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:29 ??.

Not only is Phelps a great swimmer, but he's freaking COOL AS HELL!

Party on, Mike!

By EMR. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:38 ??.

Personally I think all drugs should be legalized, the day after they make you pass a drug test to get any kind of taxpayer funded check!

By Garry. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:38 ??.

with all that money you would think he would be smart enough not to get caught.doesnt he have real friends THAT ARE NOT RATS!!!!!!!!!!

By debbie. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:37 ??.

People get drunk, go crazy and do things they'll regret for the rest of their lives (then spend the rest of the night throwing up)

People get high, forget what they were talking about, go get a snack and fall asleep

By Andy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:37 ??.

Who really cares?

By Adam. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:51 ??.

the first comment is appalling....and QUITE ridiculous, considering ALL mainstream politicians, scientists, and doctors, are all paid to make this assumption and to have this opinion. there is nothing wrong with the use of anything in moderation. you are truly sad for believing tv, and even "god" who says in the bible everything he makes (that includes marijuana, my friend) should be utilized..

you should be ashamed "john redblood", arrogance doesn't pay. and it doesn't make you any better of an american..

maybe you could get off that "reefer madness" binge and look at some statistics of alcohol related crimes and deaths, then go look at marijuana...you'll find some very interesting and concluding info.

By willamJ. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:02 ??.

also unless mikey has been working out a lot lately, the dude in the picture has a much bigger chest then mikey does in his medal picture below...............bob

By bob. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:02 ??.

Jeeze...leave the guy alone! So he smokes a little weed, drinks a few beers. He is not a god, just a great swimmer. Honestly I think he earned a bit of time off. And I am not a young party guy, but a parent with two kids his age. I am pretty darn successful and I've been know to actually drink a few beers.... As long as he doesn't drink (or smoke) and drive...or go crazy and start fights...I let him be!

By glmccready. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:02 ??.

Maybe this is in Amsterdam. :)

Help me here. We're plunging into a global depression and I'm supposed to give a rip about this because why again?

Duh.

By js. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:02 ??.

Destroy his career? Give me a freakin break...

The only thing bad about smoking pot is the ridiculous laws surrounding it. (notice the period at the end of that sentence)

By John. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:59 ??.

Yeah? All you goodie too shoewers saying that he should be banned and he is breaking the laws...

How many of you have downloaded something you shouldn't have? Gone over the speed limit? Jay walked? I'm sure we all have broken the law from time to time.

This just goes to show how screwed up the "war" on drugs is and it needs to be changed. Weed is a recreational drug and too many people that smoke feel that it's not a big deal.

By Jim Sherman. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:08 ??.

Weed isn't exactly a performance enhancing drug.

By Haha. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:07 ??.

great hipocrisy. Free weed NOW.

By hipocrisy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:07 ??.

It's a beer bong glass. Note the amber color and lack of any smoke whatsoever

By kato krause. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:05 ??.

who cares. let the man have some fun. he's been a robot for 4yrs. let him gain his sanity back. its just pot.

By steve. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:16 ??.

Who cares? Pot should be legal!!

By David. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:16 ??.

If someone who smokes pot can win 14 Olympic medals, that basically proves that pot isn't that bad. You people who say it is, are complete idiots. Cannabis could solve all of the worlds problems. Legalize it.

By C.S. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:15 ??.

Hes innocent until proven guility.
He should be warned and get a slap on the wraist this time.

By bazaleel. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:15 ??.

Cigarettes kill millions per year - LEGAL
Liquor kills millions per year - LEGAL
ZERO people killed in the past 40 years from pot - ILLEGAL

I defy any so-called scientist or doctor to name me just one person who has overdosed or died from smoking pot within the past 40 years that I've smoked pot.

Legalize it, tax it. Otherwise, just shut up and stop reveling in trying to destroy someone over it.

By Rahn. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:14 ??.

he doesnt look like he has done it before....hold the shotty...i will cheer for you the next olympics you are in......the bong olympics

By fabian. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:13 ??.

Sorry, but i LOVE you, now and before

By Alessandro. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:19 ??.

"pot grows naturally on this planet and serves a thousand different purposes all of them positive. isn't making nature against the law a bit paranoid? it's like saying god made a mistake."

(rough quote)

-bill hicks

By m.bauer. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:19 ??.

Legalize it!

By Jon. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:19 ??.

Someone said here that footballers are considered the worst people ever once they get caught smoking weed... whaaaat? it would be fine if they smoke some weed.. the problem is they don't, they inhale cocaine! it's fancier... latest researches show positive effects on smoking weed from time to time... give the guy a break, it ain't that bad. And besides, he had just won over a kilo in gold!! If weed is so bad, imagine how many medals he would have won instead of some lausy 8. hmm, i'm betting cannabis is actually good stuff.

By J.Maga. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:17 ??.

How can that pic be a fake? IT'S SO HIM! Stay out of drugs, Mikey!

By danny. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:49 ??.

I give every props who posted there comments at 4:20

By TooKan. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:48 ??.

It seems illogical that he would mess with his health to go partying.

By Kyle. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:48 ??.

who cares? its his business...no one elses

By paradise. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:56 ??.

lol lol lol lol

what an idiot

By lol. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:56 ??.

Ah ha,So that's why ate 10,000 calories a day during the Olympic's.That stuff gives me the munchies too.

By john myers. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:55 ??.

So what, he wants to do a few hits. Can you blame him, he's under pressure most of his life to perform, now he has phonies surrounding him left and right. Now some rag wants to trash him because instead of drinking alchol he wants a few hits. Jesus why don't these people that trash him accomplish anything with thier lives instead of trashing him, bunch of failures nobodys thats all.

By Adam. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:54 ??.

Maybe the glass blowers guild can have him in their ads to make up for all the revenue he is going to loose. He can do whatever he wants just as the people that are paying his bills can also. Probably only a couple of million dollars a puff off his star status.

By Jalama. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:43 ??.

"Any laws that control what someone can do with their own body is unjust."

First, if what one does to their own body endagers others it is absolutely justified to prevent those actions. That is basic ethics.

Even if the person only hurt themself, then who is going to pay for their medical bills? Whether you have socialized medicine or purchase individual insurance, what a person does to their body impacts everyone.

Humans live in a society, not in their own isolation. Laws that govern what a human does to their own body are both justified and required.

As for those saying that marijuana does not kills brain cells - that is irrelevent. Marijuana has negative impacts on the brain and impairs one's judgement. That is fact. Yes, alcohol does as well.

An argument that alcohol should also be illegal is totally justified. The world would be a better place without both.

It is odd how the "progressive" thinkers are so compassionate about the common man but when it comes down to it, they simply want to do whatever they wish with no regard to the impact on anyone else. These progressives live for their own self satisfaction with no regard to others. Their thinking is not progressive, but regressive. Any true progressive thinker understands that for humans to grow and survive as a species, society must triumph over individuality.

By Just the Fax. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:43 ??.

If they bar Phelps from the next olympic's who will they get to replace him.Mark Spitz?Oh that's right they couldn't use him as there were reports of him smoking a lot of joints.

By john carlos. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:40 ??.

If he was any normal person this would not be considered such "wild" behavior. Why is it so shocking that he does these things with the 6 months of his life that he doesn't have to train for his country and livelihood? Any swimmer knows making it 4 years through the NCAA's is a task itself worthy of commending. For him to put in the work that he does day in and day out with the pressure of the world watching him, I would be more shocked and disappointed if he didn't hit the bong once in while and throw back some brews because it would mean he is not human. Part of the allure and mystique of his god-like status in the pool is that he is human just like everybody else. Lastly, I just think its wrong to judge so callously, if anything he is hindering his performance. If he can toke up and still make the best in the world look like little boys, more power to him.

By Adam. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:39 ??.

This guy is the world's champion, the best there ever was and he is smoking a little pot. This is instructive as to the true nature of pot. It is a wonder, a miracle, and criminalization of it's use as medicine, an alternative to alcohol, or for industrial use is truly a crime.

This picture utterly destroys the platform that punishes good people for using a natural herb with many, many, many, documented (although suppressed) studies of excellent medical benefits and amazing industrial properties.

It is time to stop this nonsense. LEGALIZE IT NOW!!!

By LegalizeIt. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:39 ??.

As long as Phelps can kick butt in the pool, who cares. Hell, Obama did worse than a bong hit and no one cares, and he's responsible for the whole country.

By Phoebe. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:38 ??.

Legalize it.

By Toker. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:36 ??.

He's got the lungs for it. If this is true large corporations will end his endorsement deals because there are clauses within the contract and they listen to the public at large and this is not the image they expect to see from him. Whether its a drug or harmful has been up for discussion for years -bottom line it's illegal, He's done in terms of endorsement except for the Jamaican Tourist Bureau. A restaurant in Ann Arbor MI was involved. In a segment showing how much Michael ate for breakfast. Now we know it was at times it was because of the munchies. I heard he has 19 major endorsement deals and a childrens book along with a reading foundation- the only person who will be cashing in this week will be the crisis management folks for the corporations and Michaels pr firm because the fees will be incredible. ------ Yes its only pot but it was apparant when he was seen spending so much time in Vegas that he enjoys partying. Maybe he likes to party, he's young . Maybe he was always a dork and he iloves the attention. The years of and millions of hours of swimming laps I wouldn't be surprised if he slit his coaches throat I would understand it- the pressure of being perfect . Its also possible the he is stupid and he doesn't care but I.'m sure this is the last thing people expected. I'm sure that was a water pipe.

By Zsa Zsa Giggleman. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:36 ??.

Leave the poor boy alone.

He deserves a little bit of relaxation.

By m.zaal. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:36 ??.

who cares. leave this guy alone. mind your own business and let people do what they want in their own homes as long as they're not hurting anyone else.

By Elliott. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:35 ??.

pot good earth freedom sustainabilty

By baxionsycaster. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:33 ??.

HAHAHA screw the endorsements he'll become the new face of RooR (the company whos bong hes hitting)

By hahaha. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:29 ??.

Even though he has won more gold medals than any human being in history, has more money than all of the people making comments here combined, and is banging playboy playmates, I think I speak for all of us when I say we are all so much better than this LOSER who feels the need to break the LAW. It makes me sick that people would ever use a controlled substance, which even though there is no scientific evidence proving it's dangerous, is still against the law!!!

Our politicians who know more about everything than anyone else in the country say it's bad, it's bad. I would say in terms of credibility in this great old United States of ours it goes God...Government...Television...Science; and Phelps should know better. Olympic Hero??? More like Olympic ZERO

By John Redblood. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:28 ??.

Why is it ok for Michael to smoke weed because he is just relaxing but when football players and basketball players smoke weed they are the worst people in the world. If you want to be fair basketball and football players are in the spot light all the time with the media around them all the time. Phelps is only followed every 4 years. All of these guys are young and make mistakes but we have to be fair. If it is ok for Michael to make mistakes it shoud be ok for black sport stars to make mistakes. I never see people say who cares let him party when they are black. Im sure some people will make this pure racial but that is not the point. we are talking about being fair. I think they are all young kids growing up in front of the world and they are human. if you want your kids to have a role model well be one for them because none of the sport stars care about your personal stories

By lou. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:28 ??.

Who cares its his life and he has accomplished more then any of us in his lifetime. We need to worry about the politicians who are spending our tax dollars like they own them while not paying thiers,To Obama and his appointees, you can tell who you are and your character by looking at your friends and assosicates.

By ED. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:26 ??.

That just makes him 10 times more awesome in my book. Pass it this way Mikey!

By Justin. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:25 ??.

Bourgeois, you're an idiot if you're gonna let a celebrity dictate what you guy or not.

By WTF. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:25 ??.

Phelpsy deserves to get torn every once in a while. Give the guy a break, its just weed. If it was heroine or something, that wouldnt be cool, but everyone smokes weed.

By jimma. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:24 ??.

Stoners - Always whine when someone complains about them getting wasted, but criticize you as being a nerd/dork when you don't partake.

By Bob. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:23 ??.

Michael doesn't wear his hair that long, nor does he have those ugly long sideburns. He's not an idiot. He knows his sponsors won't stand for a stained image. This isn't him. If it was there would have been a whole bunch more pictures of him from others at the party.

By LeniLime. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:23 ??.

If you want to make a big deal of something report on what fool and traitors Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney are. They didn't smoke pot and look at how they fXXXed up the world and how they and their friends stole from the American people. Seeing the condition the world is in, it's surprising the whole swim team didn't do a group shot with red white and blue bongs. You go MP.

By Don Miller. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:22 ??.

Looks fake. The picture doesn't look like him from his ears to his nose.

By Morgan N,.. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:14 ??.

How else do you think he can eat 10,000 calories a day..

By J Breeze. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:20 ??.

Weed is a new way to avoid bad results... real champion:)

By Vladimir. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:20 ??.

This just makes me like the dude even more. If he was using steroids it'd be a different story, but smoking a bong is so completely harmless. More people should smoke weed.

By mike. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:19 ??.

I think this is a perfect example of a professional individual who is able to maintain vast control over his life, but is able to enjoy a few wild moments and really let loose. It's also ridiculous that an Olympic council would have the nerve to criticize anyone for the use of a non-preformance substances when alcohol is readily consumed by countless athletes. Are we really going to start banning dutch athletes if they happen to enjoy a socially accepted vice? It is ridiculous that we have to concern ourselves with this, when we have children to educate, people to feed, and jobs to create.

By Matt. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:18 ??.

All those losers out there slamming a British newspaper for show "an all American hero" for who he really is, need to step back and remember when a lame US 'journalist' "broke" the story about Prince Harry on active duty in Afghanistan; Harry's no angel but he was actually serving his country and putting his life on the line.
You can't have it all your own way; time to smell the coffee!

By Al. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:15 ??.

I will never buy anything endorsed by Michael Phelps.

By Bourgeois. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:55 ??.

What a terrible shame. Once again, as in all aspects of modern life, greed, power and sex have combined for human downfall. If this proves to be the truth (and pictures don't lie except for photoshop), this is the waste of a promising life example.

By joan. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:54 ??.

What a terrible shame. Once again, as in all aspects of modern life, greed, power and sex have combined for human downfall. If this proves to be the truth (and pictures don't lie except for photoshop), this is the waste of a promising life example.

By joan. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:54 ??.

I bet the guy that took the picture was mad be double puffed and didn't pass.

By John. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:00 ??.

its a shame that this idol for many sport viewers and a lot of kids.
does things like this,
in my opinion his punishment should be
teaching kids about the danger of drugs.

By a fan of sport. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:58 ??.

Stoners unite under our new leader - Michael Phelps!

By Stoner Pat. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:58 ??.

Oh c'mon guys it's HIM! He's not anymore an example for who loves sport.

By Nick_Italy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:58 ??.

I hope he speaks out about the need to reform marijuana laws, not cower to the right wing(alcohol abusing) agenda of controlling what people can and cannot do with their own bodies.
Legalize it,....don't criticize it!

By Joe NORML. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:11 ??.

thats not him u liars!!!

By JOHNNYBLAZE. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:09 ??.

You guys are dopes. Get a life and leave other people alone.

By Bodie. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:08 ??.

There is more important things in the world to worry about than this...

By bill. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:08 ??.

Remember Michael, Puff, Puff, Pass!

By Rod gozinya. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:07 ??.

who cares????????he's just a guy!

By fri. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:51 ??.

What the hell is everyone getting so worked up about? I mean the guy was only letting loose and being a normal college age student. I mean if he was caught doing coke or heroin that would be more understandable. I think he should fight to be able to compete in the 2012 olympics.

By Jay Fri. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:51 ??.

Hes a beast plain and simple

By Michael. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:50 ??.

Hopefully he pasted that to the right and didn't screw up the rotation

By johnny. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:49 ??.

Who cares, he's out of competitions right now, it would be a different story if he does the same thing while competing, get over it people, it's just a freaking joint, the man won 8 freaking Gold Medals, he's a champ, and he deserve to have a life too, stop been so jelous!!!!

By roch20. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:48 ??.

Who cares, I know TONS of people who smoke the stuff. Obviously it works for him. It should be legal. I would bet most of the people who reported on this story has smoked pot. Get over it, lets legalize it, and tax the hell out of it.

By Rob. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:48 ??.

Thats not MP you tools, look at his nose. Get a life.

By BriGuy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:47 ??.

Better for you than alcohol and tobacco. Let the guy relax, and don't ignore the REAL drug problem: alcohol. End drug discrimination, equality for all drug users!

By Eddiesilence. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:43 ??.

he's an example of a welfare rat.

By Toolshed. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:42 ??.

As long as he gets his $$$ from sponsors who sell products THEY have invested a lot of $$$ in product research,developement, and sales he owes them the duty to represent their products with an image they paid for and he enjoys the luxury of. If he wants that lifestyle ( drugs, booze, and screw the rules) let him do it on the money HE makes from his 9-5 job...oh that's right he doesn't work like the rest of us... he has to train and follow a standard set forth by the Olympic Committee....sorry folks you can't have it both ways....you have the right to choose whatever you want...just be willing to answer for your choices instead of always trying to change to the rules to make them ok. I am dissappointed but my life will go on....superstars fade ...get over the rock star worship mentality.

By Karen Preston. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:42 ??.

The guy is a goon and a loser.

By Goon. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:41 ??.

everyone be careful what you write since what we do write may not be approved by the brits
GO AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Boo Hiss to the losers!!!

By hdgirl362. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:41 ??.

Marijuana is not a performance enhancing drug. It is absolutely arbitrary that it is illegal and alcohol is not. I am a trauma surgeon and I haven't smoked marijuana since college over 20 years ago but I would absolutely prefer marijuana being legal to alcohol. I have drunks and tweekers in the ER all the time. Pot heads, virtually never.
This doesn't discount what he has done one bit. It also shows how stupid we are to make athletes heroes for any reason other than there sports achievements. I have seen him interviewed and he seems like a very ordinary kid other than he can swim like no one else.
Marijuana will be legal, or at least decriminalized soon. It is interesting that no one would make much of a stink if he was drinking himself into oblivion but take a toke and he is a bad guy?

By mrwonderful. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:32 ??.

who cares? hes not hurting anybody.
wooooo go phelps (:

By Dell. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:31 ??.

Hows that for a slap in the face to his competitors!
He is SO good, he can smoke pot, potentially reduce lung capacity, and STILL kick ass on a global level. Couldnt this story have been turned around to show this wonderful natural herb in a positive light?

By Cant Swimmer. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:31 ??.

Wait, I can't see his phelped up elf ears

By Tin. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:30 ??.

Wait, I can't see his phelped up elf ears

By Tin. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:28 ??.

Dude! How do you think he exercises his lungs to hold his breath so long? The secret is revealed!

By Robert. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:27 ??.

HAHAHA!
PHELPS YOUR RULE DUDE!


Legalize it! its natural, its simple, it doesnt kill!

By Junior. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:27 ??.

Big deal!! Who cares if he smokes pot. It doesn't affect his performance... if anything it would make him worse lol

By Steph. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:26 ??.

By tds. Posted February 1 2009 at 3:46 PM.


I see it from a different angle
A Stoner won 14 Gold Medals
Score 1 for the counter culture!

Sub


Yes, but if he was someone who was a strict conservative-it would not be ok! Liberalism is a mental disorder! They(brain-dead liberals) hold others to standards that they do not hold for themselves. Score 500 for Christian-right culture!

By Scott W. Peterson. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:25 ??.

So what. He didn't hurt anyone doing what he did...except MAYBE himself...the jury of public opinion (rightly or wrongly) will decide that.

Beyond that, he is a true American hero and the #1 swimmer in the world and I hope he continues his success.

By cc. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:24 ??.

Look at the wallpaper, he is doing it in the privacy of his own grandma's house...He should be commended for using a Roor, I had one in college and loved it. Its funny how the Brits are so against pot until they come to America and see its acceptable and try it. the biggest potheads on my college soccer team were Brits..

By Darryl. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:24 ??.

The guy is drunk with fame. I saw this coming after the first DUI. Some people can handle it, some people can't. If he is going to endorse products to the tune of millions of dollars, he has a duty to conduct himself in a way that sets an example to the public. Especially young impressionable children that look up to him. Otherwise, if he feels no obligation to present himself in a better way, then don't endorse or advertise. The Olympic committe has specific guidelines. If he doesn't want to take those rules seriously, then there should be no place for that kind of athlete. The guy blew it! Last I knew, smoking pot and driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal in the United States and Olympic gold medal winners are not exempt. Just think if he seriously hurt or killed someone or himself in that DUI.

By Legalize Shmegalize. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:22 ??.

I respect him MORE after seeing that picture! Legalize it!

By American Pot Smoker. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:21 ??.

I concur with everything that Ras said in his post below.

By h. selassi. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:20 ??.

Well, although this isn't exactly a "career enhancer" for most people, apparently this young man hasn't realized that there are people out there who are looking for incidents like this for the sheer notoriety of the situation so that they can make a quick buck off of someone doing something they ought not to be doing.

However, since we in the U.S. now have a former COCAINE USER in the White House, I'd say that a much younger man making a stupid move by smoking weed in public isn't going to destroy anything other than his reputation (and maybe only for awhile at that!)

With regard to the "one" in the White House, we here are dealing with the fact that the cocaine use might not be all that "former".......(there are those out there alleging that it's more recent than claimed)

By Cisco. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:20 ??.

you living humans, a funny race! no wonder he show such mojo at the games. Legalizie! then all can share in strong juju!

By r. tafari. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:19 ??.

exactly, big deal - what a man does with his own life without hurting anyone else is HIS deal. please... if this ruins his career none of us will be the better for it.

By nikki. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:16 ??.

So what,

By Walnuts55. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:16 ??.

Are you sure that's Phelps in the picture? Really sure???

By Daniel. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:15 ??.

Folks from other countries just don't understand... the Brits hate seeing the tallest poppy and chop them down with much vigor. Good job guys, you just confirmed what losers the brits are to the rest of the world.

By Aaron. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:12 ??.

Did he inhale?

By CRYSTAL BUDS. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:12 ??.

He had his 15 minutes of fame and glory. Now he's just another overpaid bum like 80% of NBA players.

By Cowboy Diplomat. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:12 ??.

I would be most concerned about someone "slamming beers". That is dangerous for him and the people around him. I survived the 60's. Pot never hurt anyone. Alcohol kills!

By Ed. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:12 ??.

Deny, deny, deny!

Roll Tide!

Tom

By TOM. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:12 ??.

yall just jealous he can have anyone and then smoke a bit. he wont need a job for a while either. He earned it......................if thats even him lol

ya da bomb braahhh weed is good

By nukky. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:10 ??.

Getting high, on a natural substance, obviously makes you a no hope, lazy bum.

Just look at Phelps; what has he ever achived in his life?

By AD. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:10 ??.

well you can have Phelps as your role model Mr. & mrs. parent.
Mine is Brittany Spears.
I just bought her new album so she can get another tatoo and A HAIR CUT!!!!!!!

By commonsensei 24. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:10 ??.

He is only human and you guys are jerks. Boy you really 'got him' didn't you. Proud of yourselves?

By Aaron. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:08 ??.

He looks like Jughead in that picture

By Linda. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:03 ??.

Sure doesn't look like him... Phelps has a big chin and a big nose.

By Germy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:06 ??.

It don't even look like him really. But that is what you get from a side view photo. Who knows maybe he was smoking tabacco in it and not pot. But even if he was smoking pot, so what. God made Pot man made alcohol who do you trust?

By Michelle. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:06 ??.

its him.
who cares.
i didnt like him to begin with.
check his ears.
no one else has ears that big

By nick b. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:05 ??.

let the guy relax !
i love mariuana, move to holland man.

By asd. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:05 ??.

"This is the astonishing photograph that could destroy the career of one of the greatest competitors in Olympic history" You, the press are the villains, it is not he who he is the destroyer, it is you, good people of the media, running to tattle in glee and reveling in smearing a person whose accomplishments you can come nowhere near. IT IS YOU, THE PRESS WHO SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES.

By Ian.G. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:05 ??.

Let him smoke. Let the sponsors dump him. It's all good.

By rjreb. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:04 ??.

Whoever took and/or brought this picture into the public is a scoundrel. They had to know it could only cause problems.

By Ann. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:04 ??.

Sort of nasty and mean spirited to try to ruin his career so you could have a one or two day jump in circulation.

By Egbert Stookfleisch. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:04 ??.

Drinking alcohol is alot more dangerous then smoking pot in so many ways! Same goes for McDonalds.

People actually die because of alcohol and mcd's.

Leagalize cannabis thank you

By Jmy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:59 ??.

Prospective cabinet member.

By John. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:47 ??.

If what he took was made in a labratory with less than 100% uncertain effects then patented by some large corporation we'd have no problem with his use of it.

And some people have a problem with smoking a plant in a completely un altered state?

Man its a weird world.

By tds. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:46 ??.

I see it from a different angle
A Stoner won 14 Gold Medals
Score 1 for the counter culture!

Sub

By Subcool. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:44 ??.

whhoever sold this picture to the paper is a jerk. you ruin the guys career for what? a few hundred dollars?

By d2. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:42 ??.

I love the fact that this is basically a giant middle finger to everyone out there who loves to jump all over other people for smoking. The dude just won all those golds and set a handful of records, then goes and parties like this on his free time. I cannot take seriously any of the the negative comments I'm seeing here at this point.

Clearly, getting high on his free time made him so apathetic and stupid that all he could accomplish was winning 14 gold medals.

By Chris. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:41 ??.

....and you are all SURE that's him in the picture? Positive right ? A side shot ...
No smoke in the pipe by the way either.
You Brits believe in man made Global Warming so I guess you'd be pretty naive in this case as well.

By Lee. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:32 ??.

Nobody cares except Space Jesus lovers.

By Corey. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:36 ??.

People this is AMERICA! We stand on principles,integrity,morals,values,family,trust etc. BUT we also have something called the Judicial System, and last I checked WE the PEOPLE are presumed innocent until PROVEN guilty. We also have a Country that feeds off idle gossip and doctored photos of any Celebrity that could possibly bring these scum bags the "BIG BUCKS"! It is those kind of people that should be bringing you SHAME, but NO if its on print, it must be true,Right? I am proud to be an American and proud of Michael and I am glad that the majority of True Americans have believe systems as I do. For the rest of you who don't beleive in the "American Way", I hear their is plenty of places over in Iran that would love to have you for guests!

By ksmetwice. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:34 ??.

who cares if he's smoking pot. if he was snorting coke ok that might be a diff story. but there is NOTHING wrong w/ pot. hes a kid. let him do kid things. grow up people!

By allyson. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:33 ??.

i think he should be allowed to smoke pot,, good for him, im glad he did!!

By heather. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:30 ??.

Legalize it DON't criticize it!

Peace

By BG. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:28 ??.

You ppl are too funny.

By rofl. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:27 ??.

He is not a pure person, no matter what he pretends. As far as I'm concerned, he's toast. Just another pothead like many of the young people today.

The comments here that shower adulation on him just because he is a star treatment, shows a certain lack of mental rigor and no foundational base for what is important.

By Jekyl. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:26 ??.

He went off half cocked on booze, weed, and women. That's not uncommon at all, but his character defects are now present for the entire world to criticize him. You would think he would have used discretion, been secretive, more careful, indulged in the privacy of his home. His best choice would have been to stay far away from weed. That he did this in public, that he acted so unhinged, shows he is screwed up in the head, he is a hurting guy, and needs to sort things out with a counselor. Read your Bible.

By Mountain Man. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:23 ??.

Just admit it. If you cannot enjoy life without a substance to make you feel good or achieve better your a loser straight up.

By J.Barrett. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:22 ??.

Big Deal. I am not a big fan of him, but let it go already!!!

By Marty. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:22 ??.

He's an athlete and a celebrity. Drug laws should not apply to him. You people need to get a life and realize that there are some people we just need to treat differently.

By J.G.. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:21 ??.

Jewish scholars wrote in the Talmud that it was an EXCELLENT MEDICINE centuries prior to jesus myth's birth

Second largest cash crop of the USA colonies. #1 Tobacco - #2 Hemp products from rope, fabric, oil, seed meal for food and animal fodder, buds for medicine - King cotton actually #3 and a prince under QUEEN HEMP.

George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both grew it for rope, fabric, oil, seed meal, and medicine

USA military uniforms made from hemp due to cotton taking too long to grow thus not quick enough for our entrance into nor sustaining us through the war. HEMP won the war for the USA by clothing our military

Evidence that food growing was NOT the reason that hunter gatherers settled down to build the first cities/ civilization. They settled down to make beer from grains and grow pot and other psychedelics for fun and medicine. Food was a byproduct of the beginning of civilization

Oldest found viable pot stash was found recently in clay pots in a cave in china dating to 27,000 years ago!

Of course there is danger from abuse just like one can abuse water and drown from the inside out by drinking too much water, and abuse life giving Oxygen...... a room filled with pure Oxygen not thinned out by other gases not only a fire explosion hazard but will kill you just from breathing it.

Legalize it to help the American farmer.
Tax it to fill gov coffers and help pay for stimulus
decriminalize cuts police costs and handicaps criminal orgs

By Jimmyboyo. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:20 ??.

Big deal. So he likes to smoke once in a while and have fun. He's a normal person. People are so judgmental. He can do whatever the hell he wants on his own time, especially if it isn't effecting his performance. Oh nooooo he was out two nights in a row?? Wow, this guy is crazy. Oh nooooo he seemed to know what to do when he grabbed the bong? True raging maniac. We Americans love taboos. We love labeling things as evil and obsessing over public figures then engaging in them. So stupid.

By Jenny. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:20 ??.

Just leagalize it already.

By Eric. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:18 ??.

Big deal. So he likes to smoke once in a while and have fun. He's a normal person. People are so judgmental. He can do whatever the hell he wants on his own time, especially if it isn't effecting his performance. Oh nooooo he was out two nights in a row?? Wow, this guy is crazy. Oh nooooo he seemed to know what to do when he grabbed the bong? True raging maniac.

By Jenny. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:18 ??.

mind altering drugs are for losers.

By heehee. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:18 ??.

He represents the US. The US Olympic Committee should take every medal he won.

I care. And I have a life. loser dopers

By bsf stewart. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:17 ??.

Big deal! I have hung with Michael twice at events in NY! He is a real sweetheart and a regular guy. People need to cut the judgments! Who doesn't party at his age? The real creeps are the people who betrayed him by taking and selling this photo of him when he obviously thought he was in a private setting!

By Courtney. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:16 ??.

OH MY GOD. DROP THE PHONE, STOP THE PRESS. WORLD EXCLUSIVE!!!!

By Chris J. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:15 ??.

If he were black and had the same accomplishments, most of you would want his head for this. If you don't believe me, read the comments of other articles (past and present) that are simiiliar.

By Joan. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:15 ??.

With all the rigorous training and tight schedules and hectic life Michael has Marijuana would help him to relax reducing his stress, it's like meditation. Marijuana makes you laugh which is good medicine. It makes food taste great and an athlete needs good nutrition to set as many records as he has. Good sound sleep is very important for anybody especially people who physically stress their bodies in vigorous training sleep is when your body repairs itself and Marijuana is a great sleep aid if you are having any problems sleeping. It seems like marijuana can enhance many of lifes important aspects. I'm thinking it may be the secret to Michaels tremendous record which speaks loudly and clearly for its self--it may never be done again in our lifetimes. Perhaps Marijuana should be available to all of our olympic athlethes.

By john. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:13 ??.

It doesn't seem like he's trying to ruin his career nearly as much as the media is working to destroy it for him.

He's a kid, he did something nearly all of us do at one time or another, he wasn't doing it to set an example for others and mainly: I DON'T CARE.

He's still a great athlete, who, if he can party like this and swim like that- is incredible.

By Linda. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:13 ??.

Substance dependency rates:

Marijuana: 9%
Alcohol: 15%
Heroin: 23%
Tobacco: 32%

Source: The prestigious Institute of Medicine report "Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base", commissioned by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, published back in 1999, and promptly ignored by the prohibitionist demonizers.

Even the 9%, according to the report, have a mild dependency. Proper abuse prevention (unlike the well-proven disaster that is prohibition) could lower that rate much further.

The gateway drug theory is debunked in the report too.

In the CSA, marijuana is banned, because our public servants have found it to have a "high potential for abuse".

Whenever our public servants determine the list of acceptable and unacceptable risks, that's a public-servant-given right to liberty, not a Creator-given, unalienable right to liberty.

Marijuana prohibition is un-American. For liberty's sake, please do your homework before trashing another one's chosen recreation.

P.S. the marijuana kills brain cells "scientific result" was monkeys being suffocated. See chapter 15 of Jack Herer's "The Emperor Wears No Clothes" for details.

By Scott. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:11 ??.

Maybe he didn't inhale...stupid

By Kent. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:10 ??.

PULL IS MEDALES AND RECORD...

By KatrinaBlair. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:10 ??.

Phelps' "aides" (in other words, people who've latched onto him to ride the gravy train) were in a panic. Instead of offering money and incentives to not run the pics, they should've just denied it and insisted that the picture was a cleverly edited photo-shop.

And who the hell cares if a guy takes a hit of grass in the off-season? Legions of NBA, hockey, and MLB players party their butts off for a month after their season ends, then they buckle down and spend the rest of the off-season getting back into shape. Nobody cares.

By Bo Hunt. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:10 ??.

And I just read that expose on how Cannibas is such a performance enhancing drug...right. If he smokes weed and keeps his training focus, he deserves 28 golds. News of the World you should have taken the deal...100% success rate on drug testing after thousands is a tough record to make accusations against, especially in the times of Adobe Photoshop. Oops, and it would appear that each one of your sources was also "under the influence" during their eyewitness accounts

By JMC. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:02 ??.

At first I didn't think it was him but then I researched other photos of him and found the same 2 freckles on the arm and also the same bone structure on his hand and how his fingers taper etc. Sorry to say I believe it his him. Michael you're making bad life choices.

By justme. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:55 ??.

The legality or illegality is not the issue. The issue is whether Phelps presents a wholesome image so that sponsors or advertisers can make use of his image to sell their products. Regardless of the dopers who still smoke dope and believe in the legalization of dope, most if not all advertisers and sponsors do not want their products associated with an unwholesome image of any kind, including dope. The photograph, if real and not fake, is not a wholesome image. Only a sponsor or advertiser who wants to lose sales in this tough economy would ever associate with Phelps again. The risk of loss is too high. If you intend to sell yourself as a spokeman and make millions of dollars, then do the right things. Blowing dope, whoring, and drinking booze are still not viewed as unwholesome activities.

By Perry White. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:50 ??.

Let him smoke, he is an adult, right...
All the respect and thumbs up for legalization from artic circle.
love,
Tina

By finnbong. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:50 ??.

How can you even say that's him for sure? The pic is so generic, it could be almost anyone.

By Ivy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:50 ??.

Pull all his endorsements. Due to the recession and these photos, this picture will save the companies money. Give that extra money to the employess. Not the pot head. I am sick of society putting athletes in a GOD like status. Whatever, pull his endorsements.

By tracey. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:58 ??.

If any of you had actually gone out of the US, you would have learned that these kind of pipes are used to smoke all sorts of plants, etc. In other words, smoking a hookah is quite commonplace, and does not automatically mean it's hashish.

By Jeff Henster. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:50 ??.

All this does is help demonstrate that the stereotypes for lazy pot smokers is perhaps not always correct. If a motivated, able, athlete is capable of recreational use, why is the practice so stigmatized?

By Zero. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:50 ??.

Pot is not a performance enhancement drug and should not ban him from the sport. On the other hand, he should have been more careful who he parties with in the future.

By Tim. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:01 ??.

My concern is with the nasty junk food that he is endorsing for McDonalds, etc. Junk food will kill ya before pot!

By Mable. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:01 ??.

It really isn't a big deal! Partying and taking it easy for a few days doesn't make you lazy. GET OVER IT!

By Trip. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:00 ??.

I don't care if he smokes pot. He is still the BEST OLYMPIC ATHLETE OF ALL TIME AND HE'S FROM AMERICA!!!!!!

Take his gold, talk your trash
Point your fingers, watch us laugh
Just one thing you need to know
Micheal Phelps held that gold
Not just once or even twice
but 14 times..AIN'T THAT NICE?

Your swimmers sucked
It's really sad
That just some pot
Is all you have

Remember this
When you get old
Micheal Phelps
Held that gold!

By Brady. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:59 ??.

so he smokes pot

best of luck to him he has done nothing wrong

who says its wrong to smoke pot the UK government - who the hell listens to them anymore

By steve. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:57 ??.

QUOTED FROM ABOVE:
Regardless of how you feel about weed it is still illegal. To those that smoke pot, I ask how you justify to your children that it is OK to break that law and not others. If you want it to be legal then take action to change the laws, dont just disregard them. END QUOTE

It used to be illegal to help a runaway slave.
If something is illegal it isn't necessarily a crime.

By fred. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:57 ??.

Work hard. Play hard.
Absolutely nothing wrong with smoking a bowl in college. Haters chill.

By exswimmer. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:57 ??.

Who cares. Let him smoke. It's no big deal.

By hunter. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:57 ??.

I don't care at all about the different values people have in the society about different drugs. They are only a result of moral values and brain washing and creating the idea in peoples brain that the moral values are related to what is dangerous and not. The only thing that is interesting to me is to know the real effects in my body and brain of the different drugs and I would rather see that my two children smoke cannabis as a partydrug instead of alcohol. I think it is shameful of the society to make cannabis illegal as it is less dangerous than alcohol and risking to give nice people a criminal record that could destroy or risk their future for consuming a drug that is less dangerous than legal drugs, such as alcohol and prescriptive drugs from the doctor.

By Sten Sture. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:56 ??.

what a life

By jeff. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:56 ??.

JIMZIM sez: "Regardless of how you feel about weed it is still illegal..."

Yeah, so was slavery for a very long time, ya bootlicker.

By Suzi-Q. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:53 ??.

LET HE WITH NO SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE

By brent. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:51 ??.

His career is not over, the photo was taken last year, unless he fails a drug test then all this will do is slighly tarnish his reputation, it was grass for god sake, hardly a big deal is it.

By Gavin. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:41 ??.

Consult your doctor often. Avoid all tasty foods, alcohol, all drugs with any side-effects whatsoever, and never drive because millions die in auto accidents every year.

Now, please tell me. Who's PARANOID?

By Big Al. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:40 ??.

Why say the people: "Phelps is a example for the kids" I only now one example, my parents and family.
He can do what he wants in his private life.
The competition have its owns rules and he passed all ok.
How many English (and Spanish) football players drinks untill fall down?

By Salamanca Spain. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:44 ??.

The Dell dude got dumped for the same thing.

By Todd. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:43 ??.

Now the 12,000 calorie a day diet makes sense.

By Diane. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:42 ??.

its not the end of the world. so he got drunk so he smoked pot. its not tragic. he's acting his age - believe it or not most people at that age party. if he can drink & smoke pot & still win all those medals in the olympics good for you! tho you wont be able to party your entire life & live to be a decent age a little fun is ok. he probably just needs to feel like a normal person for awhile. people need to takin the effin sticks out of their butts!!

By Laura. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:48 ??.

And there off..........the pot heads come out of the woodwork with their predictable defense, "it is less harmful than alcohol....and....everyone does it....they just don't admit it..." Pot heads are such idiots......dumb and predictable......they all think the same....

By Vernon Dozier. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:47 ??.

So your upset about him smoking a bong? What about him endorsing fast food that's even worse.People die from fast food.

By Tom Living. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:47 ??.

I swear one more "weed is fine" comment and i'll go ballistic! Ya sure, weed is fine if you don't mind a drop in your freakin IQ every smoke! Weed KILLS BRAIN CELLS, sure you can deny it but there is proof. Alcohol doesnt kill brain cells! (in moderation)
And its so sad there are too many people in America that can't control there drinking giving alcohol a bad name. GRRRR!!!!! Pot is badddd!!!!!
does anyone understand that!!!????? Just because it frickin grows out of the ground doesnt make it "natural" tobacco grows out of the ground too, and thats no better for you! Hey i have an idea lets all go pick some poison ivy leaves and smoke him "I mean they come out of the ground right?"

how much more unintelligent can americans get?
i'll tell ya were all a disgrace to being free.

By Shelly. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:46 ??.

quote from jimzim: "..To those that smoke pot, I ask how you justify to your children that it is OK to break that law and not others...."
Now that is an easy one to answer, I use weed for pain relief my alternative being the highly addictive morphine, which sadly I am now forced to use because the pain is so bad. Without my weed cream or a joint when it is really bad I cannot even hug my kids goodnight let alone attend school functions such as parents evenings, school plays etc.. Without weed I also suffer spasms in my lower back and legs that are excruciatingly painful and on a bad day arrive every few seconds and last minutes, the weed keeps them under control. It is also, according to at least FOUR Dr's that I have seen less addictive, more effective and with little or no side effects compared to my prescribed medication and they should know. All studies have proven that weed is less harmful than either tobacco or alchohol costs less in terms of public resources such as police or the NHS, have you been to your local emergency room on a weekend evening and seen all the drunks causing trouble? Look at the NOTW article just today about the trouble caused at a nightclub through drink.

By wendy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:08 ??.

Crime and hard drug use has gone down in the Netherlands since legalisation of weed, their biggest problem is now from DRUNK tourists causing trouble. I have always told prospective employers that I use weed as my career was in the financial sector and required drug tests every single one of them was fine with it as long as it was supported by a note from my Dr, who was happy to give me said note. I never lost a job or failed at an interview so obviously a lot of employers have actually heard that the government stance is absolute bunkum and that research has proven time and again how harmless pot is. Yes it can cause adverse mntal health problems in people pre disposed to them but then so can alchohol and that is legal.

By wendy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:19 ??.

Well, the pic shows no smoke in the bong shaft and no lighter held on the bowl so this might just be a Bill Clinton " I didn't inhale" moment. But, big brother is watching you through all of your personal electronics and building a big file on you for later. They can even tell how many people are staying in your house by the utility bills. So if you imagine you and your friends are getting by with something, think again. The only way out clean is to be clean! So much for "fun" if you want to stay employed in the future. Best get smart now before you have a negative file. See the last Popular Mechanics magazine for a short look at the details of government and corporate spying on thier customers and citizens...

By CoolTex. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:16 ??.

I guess he's a one-Olympic wonder.

By Chris. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:16 ??.

The man is set for life, FOR LIFE! He will always make money unless he decides to start cooking babies & stuffing them with dead kittens.

By Diver 1. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:14 ??.

I hope he loses ALL of his endorsements. Many children look up to him for inspiration. Like it or not, he sets an example. He does have and should have a private life, but doing illegal drugs is stupid at best.

By E. Hutchison. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:37 ??.

To all the dumb ass parents who claim their kids look up to him as a role model.

Know this one fact: Phelps is a swimmer by choice. Not your kid's role model. He never asked for it, and just because he did good at his job, doesn't mean you get to force the title of Mentor down his throat. If he chooses to do something non-illegal, (Smoking weed is NOT illegal, possession is, know your laws ppl) and non-damaging in any way possible (know yor scientific studies ppl. Chronic potheads have been shown to have LESS lung cancer risk than non-smokers. Google it if you don't believe, even though you will probably dismiss the reports just as fast as Nixon did.

As parents, you are the role model. Get off your fat lazy asses and do some parenting. The television is no substitute and neither are athletes. They are people and deserve their own lives. Why note get one of your own so you can stop worrying about with an off-season athlete does in his spare time.

By psy cada. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:27 ??.

Give Phelps a drug test. If he passes, then let this matter rest.

By Turd Ferguson. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:32 ??.

Wow. THings like this are to difficult to fight about. People have no idea what it can be like to crack under that intense of pressure. I know that definetly does NOT make it right, but Phelps didn't ask for all of America to idolize him, not even close. That's what we did on our own, there were no guarantees that he wasn't a bad person. He's just a swimmer. So for everybody that is so disapponted :( boo-hoo for you! get a life and stop looking foor somebody to worship! CAUSE NO human on this earth is worth that much adoration, only God.

I wish all the best to Michael Phelps, hopefully he just humbily apologizes and takes the consequences.

By Shelly. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:32 ??.

It's unfortunate that the very thing that got Michael to the top of the swimming world--the rigorous regimen of "eat, sleep, swim, eat sleep, swim"--has also contributed, along with his family history, to his downfall. He is still very immature and when you combine his immaturity with his frustration over not being able to live a normal life for the past 10 years, this was bound to happen.

I hope that he has the strength to move past this, not with the arrogance of perceived invincibility, but with the humility of someone who recognizes his limitations and mistakes, and I hope that those who are capitalizing on his success will provide true moral and emotional support to him as a human being in need, and not simply worry about their "commodity."

Good luck, Michael. Do not dispair. Get counselling.

By Steve C.. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:31 ??.

come to think of it the last time i saw him dive into a pool he came back up to the top and didnt appear to sink or drown. all those enjoying their witch hunt please continue

By whiterain. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:30 ??.

MICHAEL NOW QUALIFIES TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.

By BennyandtheJets. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:29 ??.

you people don't get it. Michael Phelps is famous. Rules like not doing drugs only apply to everday, normal people like you and not famous people like him. Duh. Can't wait to see him in 2012! Go Michael!

By greg. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:20 ??.

Cannabis is legal in some countries. Nicotine is illegal in others. Who's to say Phelps alleged use should qualify him for expulsion? Perhaps the IOC should revise their regulations in light of evidence that cannabis is relatively harmless compared to nicotine's lethal effects.

By Kay. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:25 ??.

Any "role model" worth his salt will gladly tell you that free individuals are under no ethical obligation to obey unjust laws, and the prohibition of cannabis certainly fits the bill there. Where would our society be if people always followed stupid rules? Women wouldn't be able to vote and black people would still be giving up their seats on the bus if it wasn't for the occasional worthwhile person telling the irrational lawmakers to get bent.

By Czar. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:32 ??.

thought it stunts ur growth

By MIKE. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:28 ??.

Senator Phelps! Senator Phelps! What airport restrooms will you be partying in?

Infidelz

By Infidel. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:14 ??.

is this a game where we all try to post replies so stupid that people must think you're trolling?

By Orion. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:14 ??.

As I get ready to take my two daughters to swim pratice this morning in south Florida, I can't help but think what an jerk their idol has turned into. Thanks Mike for shattering their image of what a champion should be.

By Tom. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:13 ??.

I kinda understand his out-of-control behavior with alcohol, drugs,and scanky women. This is a guy who didn't have a life before his gold metals and his looks alone were not enough to get him hot women. So he's just making up for the kind of life he never had, with a little help.

By skjdfsdfs. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:34 ??.

There sure are a lot of old hippies and tweekers posting in support of cannabis use.
Weed users should NOT drive a vehicle cause they are just as inhibited as alcohol drinkers.
I'm sure you-all would be use as adamant if the issue was Meth or Cocaine.

By Roy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:18 ??.

whoever said HSBC is a British bank is dumb as hell

By Rod. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:18 ??.

before we crucify the guy, shouldn't we ask him if he was smoking pot or not? Based on this story, the presumption is that that he's doing something illegal, but do we really know for sure? Many people around the world smoke tobacco from these water bongs, maybe it's tobacco?
There is no smoke in the chamber, so maybe they are joking around and posing for the camera?

I think the reality is that many of these posts are far too judgemental. If you think smoking pot is bad, then don't. I'd suggest not condemning others for what are nothing more than assumed perceptions, and work on yourselves before you discredit another for what has yet to be proven.

By bradkevans. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:18 ??.

FRANK JA (at 3:26 AM) YOU SAID: >>>“To all those morons who say that what Phelps is doing is illegal. Go check the law books. Hahaha. He is in Columbia and 20gms of marijuana on your person is considered personal use and not illegal at all. Wake up and smell the spliff. Lol”<<<

YES FRANK, 20 GMS OF MARIJUANA IS LEGAL IN COLOMBIA [South America]

However, PHELPS was in COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA

PLEASE NOTICE THAT I DID NOT CALL YOU A MORON even though you had the wrong continent! Yet, you immediately called others morons because they (correctly) rejected the (ridiculous) notion of “liberal drug laws” in SOUTH CAROLINA.

Is this not proof that marijuana dissolves brain cells? Or, are you generally just not able to tell the difference between the country of Colombia and the city of Columbia? How could you possibly believe that there was a “legal limit” for marijuana in the capital of one of our most conservative states? Columbia has a population of 125,000 with 660 churches, MOST OF THEM Southern Baptist! How could you accept something that far-fetched and then CALL OTHERS MORON merely because they had the temerity to disagree with you? Does it never enter your mind that YOU could be wrong? Did you never consider that South Carolina will be the last place to legalize pot?

By scarpelli. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:10 ??.

i can't really tell if that's him or not in the picture. it could be, but it could also be anyone with brown hair

By DL. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:56 ??.

Well, that's the end of his endorsements...and should be.

By Nick. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:00 ??.

I have to agree with some of the comments about how he was stupid for getting caught. Come on now! Carry yourself properly as public figure and as a role model. What, so it is okay now to tell all kids that it is okay to smoke pot? Get your head straight people. Oh it's okay, leave him alone my ass.

By Kao. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:59 ??.

Won't be the first or last sports hero to set a bad example for kids. I doubt he made it this far being a pothead; he's just letting off some steam so give him a break. If it really is true; he'll lose a few million $ in endorsements, not be allowed to compete again, and end up working at McDonalds. He has no responsibility to the public; just to himself.

By John T.. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:05 ??.

Michael Phelps is overrated in IMHO. I am from Baltimore and all the local media ever talks about how he is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I think he has been sheltered most of his life by his pushy overbearing mother. It is no wonder he turned out to be a immature selfcentered person. C'mon, he is now doing drugs, drinking dating women with questionable motives..I think his mother focused too much on his career. Typical child from a divorced family...Makes me wonder if Debbie Phelps pushed away Michael's father so she can enjoy his $$$$. I blame the mother for his behavior. Michael doesn't come across as very articulate. I guess all he has is his swimming or otherwise he would be your typical ordinary Baltimoron.

By mary. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:01 ??.

Innocent until proven guilty here people. Let's get the entire story before we judge, I'll admit it doesn't look good but lets get all the facts first. Don't hate.

By Bill. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:39 ??.

NO RESPECT 4 PHELPS ANYMORE!!!! Fan from Finland :(

By Rowde. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:37 ??.

Just like the Dell "dude" lost his contract for weed. Phelps's career just might be over. I think people are confusing Olympic drug policy with federal. Under Olympic policy, his career is over (if it's proven true). And guess what? All of his endorsements go bye bye. Companies will look for the next fresh face to make cash off of... and so the world turns.

By Brett. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:37 ??.

Man, I'm never letting my kids do drugs, they'll obviously become an unemployed waster.

Oh, wait a second...

By Fin. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:36 ??.

OMGPOT!?

WONT SOME1 THINK OF THE CHILDREN!?

By James. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:44 ??.

BIG Idiot, to do this at a random house party, infront of numerous strangers, in todays "every second person carries a camera phone with them" world, WOW!! What are you thinking, Mike? Whether its harmful or not, its still illegal. I don't think having more than one wife is harmful either, guess what? It is, called pologamy. Im surprised he attends these parties without a bunch of body guards

By Bilko. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:43 ??.

Olympic athletes train very hard from the time that they are just young children. They usually do not have the breadth and depth of experinces that others are able to engage in during those years. Because of this, they often are stunted in their mental and emotional maturity when they become young adults, and it shows in some very bad judgment. Olympic trainers really should make sure that the kids are allowed to live normal lives as much as possible.

By Dragonbreath. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:50 ??.

Loren:
HSBC is a BRITISH bank, headquartered in London.

Idiot.

By person of interest. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:48 ??.

MORON! It is so funny when these people have the world at their feet and screw it up. For those who blame his upbringing, you can only blame that for so much before you must take responsibility for your actions.

By Jamey. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:48 ??.

University of South Carolina has success again!
What a disappointment you are to the rest of the State!! USC Students Majoring in what? And you guys are to be OUR future leaders??
YO!, students of USC starting by becoming Ladies and Gentlemen or your Future is "Wasted", too.

By GBP. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:28 ??.

Frankly, even though people may say "Well, what he does behind closed doors is his own business", that isn't true when your a celebrity exactly.

Especially when your an athlete who become someone that children want to be like or emulate.

You have a responsibility, Mr Phelps when you decide to do something that is not only irresponsible; but also not good for one's own lungs to think before you decide to do such in front of any young folks.

Well, the title is right: He really is a dope for smoking something as an athlete who now has Tainted the name of American Swimmers!@

I don't care, Mr Phelps if you had won 10 gold medals: the next time you decide to do something stupid like that the very least you could do is do in private where the world won't know about it. Not that I am going along w/what you did, but at least you should have thought about the IMPACT you were making in a Negative Way!

Your not only a LOW LIfe for Smoking Dope, YOU DOPE, but Your a Low LIfe for PROMOTING JUNK FOOD FROM MCDONALDS (AND ANY OTHER JUNK FOOD) TO cHILDREN. THE LAST THING THIS PLANET NEEDS IS MORE STUPID CELEBRITIES DOING STUPID THINGS that Impact the Children of our Future !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grow up, Michael Phelps! Get a Real LIfe:HIs Name is Jesus Christ. He died for your sins, was buried and Rose again the Third Day! Hopefully for the sake of your soul for All ETernity: you should Believe this Good News!!

By Michael . Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:32 ??.

If anything it qualifies him to run for President on the Dems ticket.

By Rob. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:36 ??.

Some moron posted:
"I care! All the dollars he gets in endorsements come with responsibility to be a good role model. My 11-y.o. son swims. He worships Phelps. What am I to tell him? He deserves to receive a punishment that fits the crime. Four-years is probably too harsh, but maybe a fine, six-month ban and some community service to work with kids with drug problems. You Yanks need a winner and will excuse him them of axe murder."

Lots of great posts here. Some juvenile and immature, some thoughtful and clever, some sensible, some non-sensible, some open minded, some close minded, some no minded! Just about every opinion has been covered. But idiots like the poster above, that want to convict someone of a crime (What crime exactly?) on a questionable photograph and ruin him for what may or may not be him in a photo of someone smoking pot just to send a lesson to his relative? IDIOT!!
While, if it really is MP smoking from a bong, it certainly shows a lack of good judgment, and his employers certainly have a right to drop him as their spokesperson (if it is proved to be him); he performed incredibly and was not under the influence of banned substances or performance enhancing drugs at the time!
As for the "Pot is a gateway drug" whiners, some people are just plain addicts. They will overdo ANYTHING: baking powder, Nintendo games, shoe polish, weasel waxing, etc...

By Ricardo maxwell. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:42 ??.

Manaman claims drugs only harm those who consume them. Please tell that to the family and friends of a neighbor who was killed in an accident by a young man driving under the influence of drugs. Wise up!!

By kelly. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:53 ??.

If the article is true: Missing dad, over-pushy mom--and who didn't see this coming? We basked in his achievements and cringed during his shallow interviews. When Michael Phelps finally crashes and burns, who will be there to teach him how to stand up as a man? Not those who have profited from his success as a boy. Michael Phelps is America's Poster Boy, because someone forgot to teach him how to be a man.

By Will Coats. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:51 ??.

By the way HSBC = is a Chinessee own government bank

By Loren. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:59 ??.

BAAAAAAAAAH, BAAAAAAAAH.......
WEEEEEEEEED, BAAAAAAAAAD.......
IIIIIIIIMMMM, GOOOOOOOOD.......
WEEEEEEEEED, BAAAAAAAAAD.......
BAAAAAAAAAH, BAAAAAAAAH.......

By PTL. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:59 ??.

PG Tips posted, apparently with intended irony, "Pot is bad. If you smoke pot you will become lazy and accomplish nothing. Just look at Michael Phelps." Exactly. What has he accomplished? As he himself said, all he ever did was eat, sleep, and swim. Hardly a life crowded with accomplishment. What good has all of his swimming ever done anybody--even himself?

By K Johnson. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:11 ??.

He has been asked to host a T.V. show from the past. This time around it's going to be named "The Bong Show"

By Rory. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:07 ??.

Vices are those acts by which a man harms himself or his property. Crimes are those acts by which one man harms the person or property of another. Vices are simply the errors which a man makes in his search after his own happiness. Unlike crimes, they imply no malice toward others, and no interference with their persons or property. In vices, the very essence of crime --- that is, the design to injure the person or property of another --- is wanting. It is a maxim of the law that there can be no crime without a criminal intent; that is, without the intent to invade the person or property of another. But no one ever practises a vice with any such criminal intent. He practises his vice for his own happiness solely, and not from any malice toward others. Unless this clear distinction between vices and crimes be made and recognized by the laws, there can be on earth no such thing as individual right, liberty, or property; no such things as the right of one man to the control of his own person and property, and the corresponding and coequal rights of another man to the control of his own person and property.

By Lane Thair. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:06 ??.

The following is a summary of the major adverse health and psychological effects of acute (for brevity I have omitted the effects of chronic cannabis use) grouped according to the degree of confidence in the view that the relationship between cannabis use and the adverse effect is a causal one.

Acute effects:

- anxiety, dysphoria, panic and paranoia, especially in naive users;

- cognitive impairment, especially of attention and memory, for the duration of intoxication;

- psychomotor impairment, and probably an increased risk of accident if an intoxicated person attempts to drive a motor vehicle, or operate machinery;

- an increased risk of experiencing psychotic symptoms among those who are vulnerable because of personal or family history of psychosis;

- an increased risk of low birth weight babies if cannabis is used during pregnancy.

So, sure, for anyone that thinks smoking/doing pot/hash/dope/cannabis/marijuana is a good idea, then you just carry right on ... I prefer to stay sane and healthy.

And remember, those were just the acute effects I listed ... I didn't even get into chronic effects, or longer-term effects, such as impaired short-term memory and paranoia ... etc ..

By Stephen Blackman. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:06 ??.

One of the comments already submitted reads as follows: -

"By Mr.Kurd; HSBC: CEO;. Posted February 1 2009 at 10:48 AM.
This is not a good thing to do.....kids, don´t do this."


Was that really the HSBC CEO who made that comment? CEO of which HSBC? HSBC-UK, HSBC-US, HSBC-Australia, or which one?

By Rick, of Brisbane Australia. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:44 ??.

Well, if he was in California, he could claim that he has a prescription.

By PG Tips. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:39 ??.

Pot is bad. If you smoke pot you will become lazy and accomplish nothing. Just look at Michael Phelps.

By John. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:36 ??.

All brawn and no brain.
You wouldn't catch Federer doing such a stupid thing!
The idiot just threw his financial cushion out the window for the world to see. This fact alone should scare kids off drugs!

By radical. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:30 ??.

Alcohol damages every major organ in your body.It robs us of our inner cities at weekends and costs many lives.It causes aggression through loss of inhibition and seems to be accepted as normal behaviour. If it was new to the market today it would never be approved for public use. The grounds of "diminished responsibility" in law when drunk should be dropped and these people who use threatening behaviour under the influence should face the consequences. The money for policing our towns at the weekends should be added to the price of the alcohol drunk.Some of you choose to drink, your "fun" should not be at the expense of others. We had an uncle who was very outspoken on and cannabis use "junkie scum"- He had drunk himself to death before he was 50. Most information in the public domain on cannabis is not based in fact. Many people are making themselves look very small spouting their ignorance when they really havent a clue what their talking about. And anyway...its not a bong- he's playing a didgerydoo!

By Rick. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:30 ??.

This just proves that he doesn't fear to take drugs so we may not even know what else he has taken during hes swimming career. Especially if there is no testing for a few months after olympics it gives a really good chance to boost your training with some gear.

By Manaman. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:25 ??.

Having seen first hand the effects of almost all the popular recreational drugs on loved ones I personally choose not to partake in any (and encourage others to do so for their own wellbeing) although I have in the past and at times must admit that I quite enjoyed it.

Those who condemn others for taking any recreational drugs which only harm those consuming them display the same kind of ignorance that led to the prohibition of alchohol, and we all know how successful that was (I'm sure it made the Al Capones of the world a lot of money though). Before condemning such behaviour perhaps do a little research into the history of drug and alchohol laws across the world, and also on the scientiffically proven effects of various drugs. I'm sure you will find that anti-drug laws do more harm than good to those who choose to take them while making huge profits for those who are unscrupulous to sell them and that the harmful (or not) effects of various drugs depend on a wide range of factors, particularly the mental health of those who take them.

I personally am aware of several so-called "legit" businesses in my area that were financed entirely from profits made from drug sales. If those opposed to drug law reform want to make the world a better place they could could start by reassesing some of their own attitudes.

By D. L.. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 11:18 ??.

The people that should be really PO'd about this are the swimmers he beat in the pool...think about how embarrassing it must be to devote your life to swimming only to get beat by a pothead.

Regardless of how you feel about weed it is still illegal. To those that smoke pot, I ask how you justify to your children that it is OK to break that law and not others. If you want it to be legal then take action to change the laws, dont just disregard them. But there in lies the problem...I have never met a pothead that takes much action..

By JIMZIM. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:51 ??.

People, Olympic athletes--whether young or old--are not supposed to do drugs of any kind unless ok'd by the US Olympic Committee. He should know better, and now he'll probably be banned. Well, good. If Barry Bond's can get busted for "allegedly" doing steroids, then Phelps should be busted for pot. If Floyd Landis can get busted for having too many red blood cells, then Phelps should be busted for pot. Anything else is simply a double standard. They are professional athletes making literally millions of dollars--THEY KNOW BETTER--young or not. I hope he gets banned because rules are rules.

By Phil. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:55 ??.

I don't care he smoked pot. But he leaned a big lession. Hes a 4 million dollar man because of his public image. He will learn to control himself more.

By TLS. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:54 ??.

This is totally proof that marijuana makes you a lazy underachiever....


Wait a second.... did I do that right?

By Ryan. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:44 ??.

Hello Studini here again.Hi
To all you wounderful News of the world readers , best news paper ever and a must for a Sunday.

Moving on quickly , studinis thoughts are you never saw Johnny Wisemuller do this , or Cheetha for that matter , but I supose up to hima.

Thanks have a beautiful day from your avid reader Studini.

By Studini. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:43 ??.

BYE BYE OUR AMERICAN GUY! :(
so bye bye our American guy
chose to hit the bong and now so long
now your personal capital is dry.
you and some gold boys were smoking widow and fine.
singing this will be the one that gets me high.
this will be the one where I fly.

sorry you violated your contract and thats whats that
we were looking forward to pimping you out for all your fame
thought we try and make some money in the emerging market game.
Now you just put more money back in our pockets..
so this is goodbye.

p.s.- adios, siyanora, albeda zang, goodbye.

By Mr.Kurd; HSBC: CEO;. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:48 ??.

This is not a good thing to do.....kids, don´t do this.

By Regis Gabaldo. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:30 ??.

As far as I know, THC does not affect dopamine receptors in the brain. Therefore, it should not be referred to as "dope". Think what you want to about MP, but just remember all of the "bad" stuff you've done in your younger days.

By Paul. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:54 ??.

Alcohol, however, in terms of a few beers at night or on the weekend, is not so bad in a way... in the sense that, it just kind of sedates you... "you" drink it, "you" act drunk, "you" get sleepy, and "you" wake up with a hangover... after drinking some water and getting some rest you are back to "you". Alcohol doesn't "twist" you into some different kind of fuzzy logic or perception of yourself and the world... it just knocks out your stress and inhibition for a while. However, at the chronic addiction level, alcohol is a horrible drug that just creates bare husks of debased human wretches craving for their next sip of fermented sugar. Weed has no such effect, and just creates kind of these native/indian type people with very mellow pseudo mystical mindsets that are very focused on television and the "reality of their experience" or whatever. For me, I choose clarity and have no need for any drugs to feel blissful and happy. However, if I was going to indulge, again for me, it would be beer, because it's clean and doesn't leave any traces or smears. But it's hard to be judgemental about weed, clearly it doesn't kill anywhere even remotely near what alchoholism, drunk drivers and cigarrette addiction do... apart from lung damage I believe that weed has never killed anybody. Booze/cigarrettes kill millions. But wow, wouldn't it be so gross if in some kind of "Brave new World" future, all the lower class people were forced to smoke weed every day? so gross...

By Frank. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:50 ??.

No smoke in the pipe, no lighter in hand!! doesnt look like he is actually smoking to me.

By GSP. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 10:03 ??.

HELLO !! Lots of college kids drink beer, and lots of college kids smoke weed. I don't do either any more... and personally, if I was going to do one or the other occasionally, I would opt for the beer, because it doesn't stay in your system or leave you feeling "fuzzy" the next day or whatever. Alcohol is water soluble and weed is fat soluble, so it gets into your system and takes actually quite a long time to really clean out of your system completely. Also, back in the days when I smoked weed, I noticed that I didn't feel like 100% myself on weed... it kind of distorted "me" somehow... and if I was happy when high on it, then when I came down I felt a bit burned out and then wanted to get "high" again... a kind of shifting between two states -- "high" and "normal". I've noticed that my ex girlfriend who was a weed head, would always want weed before seeing a movie, watching TV, sex, dinner, or anything else enjoyable. She was always indulging this kind of "high". That being said, when I smoked I felt it was really organic and natural and had this mellow "flow" and I didn't like alcohol much during that time. Of course I was a lot less clear in my thinking during those years as well.

By Frank. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:46 ??.

To all of you that think its no big deal that he smoked some pot, go into work and tell your supervisor that you smoked some pot over the weekend because you "DESERVED TO" and see how long you stay employed there......ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES!!!!!!!!

Oh yeah...Its still illegal so because he won some medals he should be able to break the law????....What the hell kind of thinking is that????

By Draven782. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:31 ??.

I love the way how whenever there is something about weed on the news or on a website suddenly all the "potheads" come out and gang up together defending weed lol

and regarding his accomplishments ...
you don't need brains to swim you can still flap your arms around in circles fast and swim when your a stoner!

think, talk properly, hold decent conversations, excel in school and make wise decisions (ie like not bonging on film when in a good career) NOT possible when your mind is in the clouds lol

By :) d.j.f. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:31 ??.

i smoked pot for 18 years all it brought was misery and bad luck i stopped a few months ago and now realise what i was missing in life i feel better and look better he needs to stop before it takes over like it did with me cannabis is addictive i could not stop

By peter w. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:35 ??.

Um. Would everyone be so outraged if he was drinking a beer? I'm Just wondering about that while everyone is throwing around the "term" junkie.

Most of these responses here sound a touch irrational and certainly in the realm of overreaction. Did everyone take his lead and smoke a big bowl of hyperbole?

By Ian in California. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:34 ??.

I am more concerned by that awful out of date wallpaper.

By Charley. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:16 ??.

Junkie scumbag. He should be stripped of his medals

At least Pete Doherty can bang out a decent tune

By M S. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:16 ??.

So what I hope this will not ruin his career.

By elle haig. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:37 ??.

All of you who supports or ignores the fact that weed is bad for swimmers...you guys are dumb.

By LFJ. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:21 ??.

Use your VISA and it will blow over. . . or VISA will blow him over!

wait please. . .

By J-Digg19. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:18 ??.

For all the clueless pot heads posting on here....he has sponsors and advertisers to worry about, he has a career! That photo just cost him millions of dollars.... Alcohol is legal and causes people do dumb things, but is that a reason to make pot legal? I mean look at how many pro pot morons have commented on here? Do we really want more of them?

By eugmeister. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:29 ??.

He could be smoking Salvia which is legal

By David. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:28 ??.

Doesn't diminish his achievement, but he should lose all his endorsements. after all it is the name of the game, to fool and misrepresent the public of your image so that millions would buy a product that has endorsed you.

By Pavel. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:23 ??.

What? You mean to say not all pot smokers are wasted losers? Hell, what are you going to tell the kids now?

Let's see the jealousy come out...

By Nick. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:43 ??.

No matter what your stance on drug use is, the issue here is that a Person that is held in high regard by young children world wide as a role model and someone to look up to has been caught doing something that is not only illegal, but not great for your health either. Phelps should be condemmed for this and if the U.S. olympic comittee have any credibility they should ban him from the sport for a period of time. This would send a message to the kids out there that there are consequences for your actions. But I wouldnt hold my breath Drug use is rife in American sports both performance enhancing and recreational, they seem to turn a blind eye in the states to this kind of behaviour.

By Steve . Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:42 ??.

The war on cannabis has never been based on fact it is based on racism and ignorance. We are always fighting against racism, shame we turn a blind eye on ignorance in society.

By wake up America. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:42 ??.

Your a goose Michael!!

By Peekingduckling. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:41 ??.

Not to worry Michael :-) You can always run for president of the U.S. as a Democrat. Doing drugs seems to be a plus there.

By hkinsey3. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:48 ??.

You people are stupid if you think this is the end of his swimming career. Hes smart enough to know how much partying won't slow him down.

By Paul. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:11 ??.

I think the problem was people actually assigning "role model" status to him in the first place. You people don't know, Michael Phelps, any better than you know the guy sitting in the White House. He's an athlete. He won a bunch of medals. Does that make him a "hero"? My god. How carefree people are with the term. Competition swimming is not heroic. Saving someone while drowning is heroic. Winning 14 gold medals is just an incredible personal accomplishment. Nothing more.

Perhaps next time the public will be a little more careful about who they choose to idolize. Nah. Who am I kidding? The public is full of rubes that love athletes more than their own neighbors or family members. You people "disappointed" in Phelps got what you deserve.

By noyb. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:49 ??.

The USOC and IOC could put Phelps through more stringent drug tests if it is somehow proven that he smokes marijuana and in light of his DUI in 2004.

As for his endorsements he will be held to a higher standard than an athlete on a professional team. I believe they get endless chances and their drug test results only are publicly disclosed after tests are failed after numerous times, depending upon the league their in. Olympic athletes have it much tougher.

But if it is true, it shows just how fragile such a great accomplishment is and that he may turn a feel good story into a shame.

By Yankee 49. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:13 ??.

Maybe it's one of those Swedish enlargers...LOL

By Bob. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:58 ??.

I believe he was coerced into smoking by communist sympathisers embarrased by America's might at the Olympics. Vladamir Putin is a big swimming fan and must have hated Russia's placing at the Beijing Olympics.

By Rory Lyon. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 9:08 ??.

Train hard, vacation even harder, but there are other ways to enjoy life other than getting wasted. Hopefully those around him who love and support his well-being will intervene now before he harms himself or others as far as the alcohol binging goes. Who cares about the bong; the alcohol and binging is the greater concern here.

By Feminae. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:15 ??.

LOL. People are in outrage over this? Pot is at least natural and from the earth. I bet if he was smoking cigarettes which are manufactured with toxins and poisons it would be better huh?

By InYourFace. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:23 ??.

HE WAS DRINKING ALCOHOL!! How dare he.

By Bazzer. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:23 ??.

Im worried on this ...its assumed he is smoking pot...I cannot see the pot and I cannot see the cone where the pot goes. There are so many things it actually might be and what if it is a herbal treatment of some sort...not pot. Be careful here everybody, might be a case of tall poppy syndrome from some jealous sorts. None of us actually personally know the guy and how many of us have smoked pot??? you may be pointing with one finger and three fingers pointing back at you. Lets see what Phelps has to say and I also hope that he will be truly honest. Honesty is the best policy and then we must accept the explanation or lack there of and move on.

By michelle. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:23 ??.

The alcohol abuse is likely to be more destructive to his body and mind, and although legal, is a drug just the same as marajuana . Why doesn't the Olympic commitee hold consequences for alcohol abuse? I have a feeling that alcohol his "drug" of choice anyway and the pot was simply a diversion to his night's activities. Remember, someone offered it to him, as opposed to him pulling out his own "stash". The article mentions his "paranoia" which is most definately a byproduct of pot smoking. However, an experienced pot head most likely would be able to handle this aspect of the "high" and if this side story of him taking off from the party due to his state of paranoia is true, this adds credence to the idea that marajuana is not something he partakes in as often as could be implied and consequently the assumption of many of the people in this thread.

By Nigel. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:22 ??.

I am a student at USC and I saw him the week he was here at a bar. He was wasted. lol

By joe. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:27 ??.

Im sure he has enough money put away to last the rest of his life, so what if he ruined his career, he is alot richer than most here i bet.

Also, for all we know maybe it was his 1st time or maybe it was tobacco.

And I dont believe that crap abput weed leading to other drugs. I think most who say that forget that alcohol is a drug yet because its legal its ok to use and I know for a fact that Alcohol leads to other drugs being used.

First 2 drugs anyone ever uses I think are Tobacco and Alcohol and they take alot more lives then weed ever will.....

By Seth. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:58 ??.

Cannabis has such a low toxicity that it is humanly impossible to overdose. Just ask Dewey Cox.

"Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man." - US Judge Francis Young in 1988

By Danny George. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:59 ??.

How truly sad. I have had such respect for this young man; he is about to throw away all the respect and awe that he gain through so many, many years of hard work. Not a good role-model for the children who want to emulate him. Just a sad comentary on "success."

By R M P. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:59 ??.

Don't judge him. You're damned if you do....

By Joe. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:59 ??.

I'm astonished as to the amount of comments on this article..

WORK HARD PLAY HARD.

By Bob. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:11 ??.

The problem here is a small but significant one. It is to do with the public's perception of something that is, in low quantities, extremely harmless. I'm talking about marijuana. In my opinion, and in many if not all health professional's, marijuana is a substance that is FAR LESS DANGEROUS THAN ALCOHOL, and is only illegal to help fuel the ever growing drug war. Marijuana is a mild relaxant, that does not enhance your sporting ability in anyway, unlike steroids. Seeing this man with a photo of him smoking some marijuana is EXACTLY THE SAME AS HAVING ONE CAN OF BEER! Nothing wrong with beer, is there? Why does everyone throw their arms up and cry when this happens? Michael Phelps is a criminal of an unjust federal system, and is guilty of an extremely unjust law. Let him off.

By Chris Lawrence. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 8:09 ??.

I think all you haters are just pissed at the thought that a non violent drug user could accomplish the greatest feat in Olympic history!!! Good for you Mike!!!!

Legalize it!!!!

By NORML4445. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:45 ??.

It's NOT the end of the world...But What a shame!

A stupid guy that is suppossed to be an example for our kids and has no brains. Is just another junkie. A BUM!!

How can he be portrait as a role model?

Hope they re-check his urine samples from the time of the games last year...

CRamia
NY, USA

By Carlos Ramia. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:44 ??.

Why all these fuss about nothing? Has any one investigated if it was real cannabis?It may be much ado about nothing.What would you have said if he were to smoke 'ganga' in Amsterdam where it is legal to smoke?

By lee wilson. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:52 ??.

Too bad he won't be hear the commotion of this over the noise of his 14 medals clinging together.

By Michael. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:48 ??.

Meh. Who gives a hoot... so he inhaled some burnt plant matter. Until it impacts his performance on the next olympics, way too many people are crying over this. So he smoked a little pot, oh well. Life will go on. If you're seriously going to throw a hissy fit over something so inconsequential, the problem is yours, not his.

By Andy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:47 ??.

I think the Netherlands is testament to the fact that legalizing cannabis does more good than harm. Unlike the UK where we have yobs falling out of clubs fighting due to alcohol, car accidents due to alcohol, one of the highest rates of unwanted pregnancies due in part to alcohol the Dutch are more relaxed, refined and happy people.

Nicotine kills! It stinks and is addictive! But yet its legal. Why? A matter of TAX!!!

Other hard drugs such as Alcohol, Heroine, Crack & Coke also lead to addictive & aggressive behaviour yet the most a bit of pot will do is make you relaxed, happy & hungry. So where is the harm?

Another matter of TAX?

By marissaX. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:54 ??.

This is no big deal.

By Dozirulf. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:54 ??.

You have to prove to me that's Michael Phelps. It could be anyone...

By L. E.. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:53 ??.

Sorry to burst the bubble of all the zealous disenchanted, but according to the rules and regulations of the anti-doping agencies, use of most recreational drugs (including THC) is only banned DURING competitions. So yes, you can say he is now a lousy role model, but NO you cannot take away his medals for he was obviously clean when he won all of them.

By Zap Branigan. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:52 ??.

Sounds like a lot of false outrage to me. I could see being upset if he was snorting lines of coke, but pot? Give me a break!

By Scott. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:35 ??.

To all you goody two shoes out there, I ask you to respond to this:
It's not ok for some bloke to have a choof, a bloke who's got nothing to do with us, having fun, minding his own business, harming no one other than himself, but you can come up with an excuse as to why you speed when you drive your car, putting not only yourself but others in danger. get a life you morons.

By Tim. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:33 ??.

who cares his the best olympic competetar in the worlds history !

By Lucas. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:31 ??.

Um...all of you who say weed is bad are just idiots. Go research the drug before you have an opinion on it.

And for all of you who would say the same to me -

- I am an M.D.

By AJ. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:30 ??.

I'm not losing any sleep over this.
He had a great Olympics. Hard to see why this should affect anything, especially when the next Olympics is 3 years away.

By Seattle Guy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:29 ??.

SHAME ON U PHELPS....

By John G. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:37 ??.

hey guys did you realise that the only reason that pot can't be legalised here in Oz is because it is classed as a noxious weed. if it was classed as a herb there would be no legal reason why it can't be legalised, only moral objections. phelps is young, fit and has achieved the ultimate dream so how about letting him enjoy some downtime - at least he's not racking up lines.

By Ragin'. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:36 ??.

Move over rover! You are another drug taking fool! Thanks for destroying my Country and all we stand for. Now leave this world to the real men! Tut Tut........... Remove the Golds!

By Billy Cobham. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:27 ??.

Who the hell cares? He doesn't owe any of you a damn thing. He has already accomplished more with his life than all of you will in your years. Who are you all to be so judgmental? Obviously the man must be doing something right. Bunch of crybabies in here.

By Meatballs McGee. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:26 ??.

Hes worked harder than any of yourselves, so let the man party.

By Dean. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:26 ??.

Some of you are missing the problem here. It's not that he may be committing some egregious sin, it's that he's so careless of the consequences in the *way* he's doing it. Whether he (or you) likes it or not, he can't just flaunt drug use an not expect some blowback (a little pun there for ya').

By Skates. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:21 ??.

"THE DOPE is th crutch, the BOOZE is too...He'll make a pathetic addict if he doesn't stop..."



Yes because every 20 something that occasionally partakes in drinking/smoking weed is an addict. By that theory 95% of people over 18 would be an addict. Besides, he has almost three years to get ready for the 2012 games, he's just partying it up while he can.

By Matt. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:13 ??.

Michael Phelps is a douche that can swim fast. He has nothing more to offer the world. Who cares.

By eric. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:11 ??.

Ok, I have never smoked pot. I have no desire to, either. There is one thing, though, I know about pot... if the IOC gets their panties in a bunch over this issue, consider this: Marijuana is NOT a performance enancing drug !!!!

By Tom LaGesse. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:10 ??.

Comments above say its harmless, he should be free to do anything he wants, it should not be illegal, etc. OK, I give you all that. But why is it always OK to break the rules, lie about it, and then whine when someone says you no longer get to compete when you take drugs. Argue with the policy if you want to, that's fine. But don't defend a fool who knew he was breaking the rules and who used his fame to make millions of dollars. If he can't compete by the rules, he does not get famous in the first place and no money. It not like just being a champion swimmer is a trade that you can use all your life to help people like an electrician or a plumber or a carpenter. His only trade is just being famous for one summer games and that's all he is good for now. He agreed not to use any drugs and he did it. That was his choice, the Olympic Committee is not to blame. It is the Olympic games and if they don't want drugs of any kind including bong, that is their right to protect their brand name. He is young and immature and maybe now has more fame than he can handle. He needs counseling and he is never going to get the help he needs if people keep enabling him for excusing his behavior. You think there is no harm? You are entitled to your opinion. Many do and the Olympic Committee has the right to set the rules under which athletes compete.

By Mark Rhoads. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 7:06 ??.

Just because he worked hard does not mean he has the right to party. Even if he did want to party, there are other things to do other than smoking pot and drinking. The fact is that he earned his metals and nothing can take that away. This whole thing reflects poorly on his character and his future as an athlete, at least in the Olympics. Once again, illegal is illegal, the whole legalize it vs. do not legalize it has nothing to do with it. There are people out there who think murder should be legal. He should obey the laws, without laws there would be chaos. As for cannabis is safe or harmless, do your research. While it may not be as harmful/deadly as other drugs doesn't mean its good for you or not as bad. Also, someone should not need to resort to smoking to relieve stress, there are other healthy and just as effective ways of dealing with stress. One lesson we can all take from this is that everyone, no matter who you are, is susceptible to peer pressure.

P.S. Apparently we all have nothing better to do than sit around and pay so much attention to some athlete, so everyone can just get over themselves and move on with their lives.

By Jason Bomberger. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:55 ??.

Unbelievable! Most of you missed the point. Regardless of his amazing accomplishments.. this behavior just proves that he is sort of stupid. Why would he go and BLOW all the endorsement deals and future earnings potential just to suck down a few bong loads with people he doesn't even know just to try and impress some silly chicks and get a date.

Personally, I could care less if he smoked half of Humboldt County! Its his body and his life. BUt the last time I checked, POT was still illegal in the US - so arguing if its bad or good is irrelevant.

But, that's not even the main issue here. The guy 'WAS' a big-time role-model to millions of young boys and girls all over the planet. Now, he is NO LONGER a role model to anyone except the '420 club'. If he were one of my kids idols, I would be sitting down with them right now explaining how bad this behavior is and how he is NO LONGER a good role model.

I don't care how progressive you think you are, there is NO WAY any of you can argue that promoting SMOKING POT to young children is ok at any level.

Dude still has his freedom to do what he wants, but he does so at his own peril. He should have been smart enough to keep his pot habits to himself and not let some stranger grap a cell phone pick like that.

He now deserves any fallout he gets.

By NorCal. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:55 ??.

P.S. If I read one more "legalize it!" or "dont legalize it" comment Im gonna hit someone.

By Jason Bomberger. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:57 ??.

So a kid who has never done drugs in his life just wakes up one morning and says; "I think I'll start shooting heroin today". No way. Ask any junkie what was the first illegal drug they ever tried and you'll get the same answer from everyone of them...Cannabis. You can make your arguements all day about it being legal or not but the fact is cannabis kills many more than you think because of what it leads to so many times. The prisons are filled to the breaking points with offenders who commit horrible crimes while they were on drugs. Do some people lead normal and productive lives and smoke just weed? Absolutely. But for so many it is the gateway to hell. My own daughter went from pot to heroin to dead within 3 short years time. She tried many times to get straight but she couldn't beat it. You'll never convince me that legalization of marijuana is even a remotely good idea. So, to all of you out there that say; "so what?" or "it's no big deal", my advice to you is put down your bong and go visit your local cemetary, you can find plenty of facts carved in stone that prove marijuana's destructive force.

By Hoosier Daddy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:57 ??.

My grandson, 12 years old, looked up to him, many kids did too.

This is not a role model for young children & neither are many in high office, scandal everywehre in Wash. D.C.

Someone mentioned sports advertisers such as beer commercials, well that is also sending the wrong message to kids!

By Grandma of 6. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:52 ??.

I care! All the dollars he gets in endorsements come with responsibility to be a good role model. My 11-y.o. son swims. He worships Phelps. What am I to tell him? He deserves to receive a punishment that fits the crime. Four-years is probably too harsh, but maybe a fine, six-month ban and some community service to work with kids with drug problems. You Yanks need a winner and will excuse him them of axe murder.

By Hazzler. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:51 ??.

Every time I think jocks can't get any dumber some moron like this one comes along and proves me wrong. That one hit will cost him millions of dollars.

By Jason. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:49 ??.

I drive a truck and have to pass a drug screen many times a year. This guy should be held to at least the same standards I have to live by. I dont make a lot of money and I can pass a drug screen each time. Why can he not do the same as me ???? Fire him and move on.

By Greg Johnson. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:42 ??.

I don't think that's a performance enhancing drug. He's young and dumb.. get over it.

By WD. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:41 ??.

Great body, stupid brain.....He is DONE.....What a waste... and another blown "role model" for our kids....This is the age of the INTERNET, people! Cameras are ubiquitous and news agencies pay TONS for photos like this.....If you don't want to be seen on the WWW.....don't do it!

By Beth. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:47 ??.

What a champion.

By OJvincent9. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:39 ??.

THE BOY needs to grow UP....He can smoke POT and call it quits of any chance for more GOLD...
or he can get help from professionals..

THE DOPE is th crutch, the BOOZE is too...He'll make a pathetic addict if he doesn't stop...

LOOK AT John Dailey, LOOK at what "HARMLESS" POT did to the UT Heisman Trophy Winner a few years ago...He "Retired" to smoke MORE DOPE...

By DXR. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:37 ??.

Michael, Michael, not good! Get back in your game! I'm sure you're basking in the fame a little now and trying to relax from all the pressure. Drugs and Alcohol will just take you down, like all the rockstars before. Don't pull a Brittney Spears on us or a Heath Ledger! We want you to be at your top!

By Derek. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:32 ??.

this just shows that normal people, even our heros, smoke pot. OH MY GOD HE IS A SATANIST! lol get over it people. whatever happened to freedom? liberty? you loved him so much when he wasnt smoking a bong, did his pursuit of happiness really turn you off that much? i dont blame you when you watch tv and celebrities like it were a weed packed bong. hypocrites.

By matt. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:30 ??.

So.... the guy won more medals in one shot than anyone. He deserves a relaxing break. Its not like he's going poor, look at that watch.

By jim. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:25 ??.

So he had a party...I hope it does not in any way harm the career of a wonderful athlete and that he goes on to win many more medals.

By Fiona Pitt-Kethley. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:24 ??.

Its only more impressive since Pot and smoking any substance should only make it harder to swim, not in anyway improve his swimming.
I'm not anti-pot, I'm just more impressed by the guy

By PK - USA. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:23 ??.

after 7 gold medals i would take a hit also.

By Andrew. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:16 ??.

Gotta love you Americans, if he wasn't one of your own you would want hime hung out to dry. Who cares if weed is harmless or not, he is a professional athlete who knows the rules under which he competes and earns a fortune. Ban him or accept any other drug cheat wheter it is harmless or performance enhancing.

By findles of downunder. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:16 ??.

Did you ever notice the worse the economy gets the better pots sales are

By q. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:15 ??.

OMG, he's done what 70% of everyone on Earth has done!?

BAN HIM OF HIS MEDALS WEED GIVES HIM AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE!

To all you people who say weed is a gateway drug to other drugs, just admit that youve never smoked weed.

By Danny J. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:15 ??.

First, for all those people who call Phelps a loser, He won 14 gold medals by the time he was 21, can you even imagine the work and sacrifices he had to make to do that, wtf have most of you judgemental idiots done? Does this picture take away from his image, yes, should it, no! Like some peole said, if he was shotgunning a beer, no problem, just a kid blowing off steam, but substitute pot and he's a drug addled degenerate who should be stripped of his medals and put away.
Now for those who said that what he did was illegal according to the gov't and should pay the price, check the internet and you'll find that there are alot of stupid laws on the books, should people be busted for violating these as well too?
Last but not least, for those bringing up the idea that pot is a gateway drug or leads to heavier drug use, that's a load of B.S. I smoked alot of pot when I was younger as did the friends I smoked with, none of us became hard core drug users. I can honestly say, every hard drug I tried, I tried when I was drunk, not stoned.

By James.M.. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:23 ??.

he should get more endorsements due to this, it makes him real, many kids his age and waaaay older smoke.

By giveitup. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:22 ??.

Good for him, having a nice time at a party. There are so many worse things he could have picked, I actually congratulate him for having a level head.
Legalize the stuff already. Too much hype over something so trivial. Who cares.

By kerozene. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:22 ??.

From a business point of view ONLY....the types of endorsements he has have moral clauses in them....They can/will cancel those lucrative contracts and sue him...plus his managers and handlers who depend on a percentage of his income, will sue for breach of contract...Just how zoned out was he when this photo was taken??...I mean didn't he notice a flash or somebody with camera phone or a Nikon D3 jammed nearly in his face? Take away the moral arguments and legal arguments....they are really the trivia in this little drama....breach of contract is what the fat lady will be singing and immediately to get at what assets he may have before the geese that are laying the golden eggs for this golden boy fall over and die feet facing the sky.....


When Phelps sobers up from his purple haze for a few minutes, his entertianment lawyers will be sure to get his attention if only so they can ask him where his money is so that they can get their fee and expenses and run...not swim....as far away from this guy as possible.

First the two escaped handcuffed to each other inmates in Australia getting "lamp posted" and now this idiot "blowing" his life away just some months after being elevated to the status of a god.

There is a lesson in all of this ....it escapes me at the second...but ooooops...Phelps in his handler's attempts at rehabbing and resurrecting this bad boy will be sure to let us know ad nauseum what those lessons might be.

We all can't wait.

By anthony. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:22 ??.

LOOK AT ME, I'M MR BURNS, I CAN TYPE IN ALL CAPS. LAALALALALA.

By MR BURNS. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:21 ??.

For those of you whining about him being a 'bad role model', this being an influence on kids, whatever ....

What do you call Hellory Clinton, or even these athletes sucking down shots of liquor for the kids to look up to?

At least the pot wont KILL the observant kid if he decides to make the bad decision.

By John USA. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:05 ??.

Sad that he would do this in front of a bunch of people with camera phones and jeopardize his entire career. See how drinking and drugs affect your judgement.

By Mimi. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:05 ??.

Who....... cares......being someone in his age group, people that "smoke" are just as relevant as someone who likes to go to the bars and drink on the weekends. Get over it.

By equinsuocha. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:04 ??.

just a bit more proof that EVERYONE smokes pot.


I will admit it though, Michael did something wrong. He hit a bong in front of a bunch of strangers.

Until we are able to make the needed changes to our laws, pot smoking should be done in private. Unless it's 4/20, then you have to smoke in public, because that's like the law.

By Jimmy Geewilikers. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 6:01 ??.

Weed is legal in many countries, alchohol is not. How can the IOC ban for one and not the other.

By Blue Thunder. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:59 ??.

He certainly deserves some downtime...

but, how many million$ in endorsement$?

Endorsements from whom?

Shouldn't these sponsors/marketers
be watching their asset? What would it
cost to provide a "handler" to at least
prevent some photog from taking an
embarrassing pic?

By tom longtin. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:57 ??.

So if it's his body and he can do whatever he wants with it then he should be able to take steroids and HGH?

Sorry but if the Olympic Committee says you can't wear polka dotted boxer shorts then you better not do it if you want to keep swimming. It's a privilege to compete not a right.

By take some responsibility. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:56 ??.

as long as he can swim fast, who cares. too much is said about weed anyway. if you wanna feel goofy for a few minutes it shouldn't be a crime and you shouldn't feel ashamed.

By benj. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:55 ??.

Why is this bad? It's not an enhancement. Not unless they put a table full of doughnuts and peanut butter at the end of the pool. Maybe a TV playing endless Mighty Mouse cartoons and a comfy, beat up couch. If that happens, I can see the problem. It's up to Olympic committees everywhere to ban sweets and Mighty Mouse.

By Robert. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:51 ??.

In reply to Maddie: A persons right's are limited only to the extent that they impact on the rights of those who surround them. Sure a person should have autonomy in regards to how they treat their body and what substances they take, but if their choices result in consequences that impact negatively on those around them, such as a driver of a vehicle who is DUI killing someone because of their impairment, then of course governments should intervene. Idealism is admired, but woefully irresponsible in the context which you use it.

By Nick. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:50 ??.

It's not a bong, it's a respiratory test. It's a machine (see the computer in the picture) to test lung capacity. It gets you really high, though.

By Pabodie. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:33 ??.

"It's drugs, and most of the time pot leads to worse drugs. He needs to lose his endorsements to send a message that this kind of behavior is not okay." - Julie

Show me one study to suggest that smoking pot leads to using harder drugs. This myth that pot is a "gateway drug" is just that, a myth.

By Will. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:33 ??.

What a big tosser he can do what he wants and gets away with it .

That is with all big STARS they do no wrong .

Good that he won the 8 golds but he has a big head and needs to think befour what he does .

Ok he trains a lot and gets lettle to have fun but that is what he wanted to do and that is his choice

By neb. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:38 ??.

And another thing, to all the people that say cant you just drink alcohol. Alcohol is much more harmful and dangerous that marijuana. Just because its illegal doesnt mean its worse than legal substances. Know the facts before you critique the subject matter.

By Barry. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:34 ??.

dudes, pot isn't that bad. give the man a break, i mean he won all those medals, didnt he?

By jamie. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:44 ??.

lol this is certainly not going to end his career i guarantee it. and honestly i dont see the big deal. He may be an athlete, a professional athlete at that, but he's still human. People hold him to such high standards because he is an olympian, but outside of the olympics he's like everyone else. How is what he does in his down time at all relevant to his accomplishments.

By Greg Smith. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:44 ??.

Its not a smart thing for him to do, and I feel bad for those that look up to him.

By mary. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:40 ??.

There are too many letting their emotions get in the way. It's not whether we care or not. It's news. It's not whether we think pot should be legal or not. IOC rules prohibit him using it, it's illegal and it could result in losing his sponsors. Sound like he just really stupid.

By JJ. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:40 ??.

It's pretty telling the number of people who make excuses for Phelps' "alleged" marijuana drug use. Marijuana is not only addictive, it's a gateway drug. It becomes a habit, just like cigarettes, and alcohol. You get high from marijuana as well as get what is known as drug-induced paranoia. To shrug it off and say, hey, give the guy a break it's not like he's a role model to millions of American kids is simply making excuses.

Encouraging drug use and the deterioration of civil society may be cool for those who think marijuana harmless but there's the other face of it. The people who do go into rehab because of it and those who move on to the harder drugs like cocaine and heroine. My sister was a marijuana addict and it nearly destroyed my family. Marijuana almost destroyed her future. She was constantly truant and almost flunked out of high school because of it. To brush off the fact that marijuana alters your brain chemistry, your pleasure centers, and your behavior is to say that smoking doesn't make you sick or change your life is simply ridiculous

By emjem24. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:39 ??.

If he's drinking a substance that causes numerous deaths (due to alcohol poisoning and acts done while on this substance) he's a role model,

BUT

If he smokes a substance that really has no harmful effects, he's not a role model?

I am confused?

By Greg. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:19 ??.

Yeah, he smokes weed. He has accomplished something 14 times that you will never be able to do, and yes he smoked pot. Does it change the fact that he is the best Olympian in the world? No. Face the facts, he is 14 times better than most of the people in the world. Give him a break.LEGALIZE IT.

By Barron. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:25 ??.

What a bunch of blow hards. I'm sure those who are calling for the return of his medals are morally upstanding citizens who never do wrong.

I don't agree with pot smoking per se, but I don't think people should go to jail for it and I certainly don't think he should lose his 'job' over it. Those of you who suggest otherwise need to think long and hard about that. After all, you wouldn't want your boss firing you for something you did 'off the clock'.

By Maddie. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:24 ??.

Any laws that control what someone can do with their own body is unjust. God gave everyone free will to do as they want, he didn't say the governments can control them. It is wrong, and should not be that way. The one thing, if anything people should have control over is themselves. That includes what they do and what they take in.

By John. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:09 ??.

Gotta chime in on the side of reason here. He has a private life. If he was shown drinking underage would it cause the same furore? I think not, yet illegal is ilegal. Get over it.

By Echo. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:14 ??.

Michael,
You've worked hard your whole life to achieve your remarkable feat in the olympics. Cheers to you! Take a toke for me!!

By Joe. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:12 ??.

Legalize it! Its less harmful than the beers, anyway.

By Its A Silly little thing. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:56 ??.

...him and millions of others.

So many people smoke cannabis it's an absolute joke that it's still illegal!

By Jane. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:56 ??.

It's just a prove that fame is dangerous for weak minds. As much as I admired this guy, I did loose any respect. As someone already noticed - lairs turn into crooks. This world has way to many of these. He SHOULD pay the price, since this is NOT his first "mistake".

By Boggy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:55 ??.

Any and all of you idiots that think that smoking pot is harmless speak volumes to your ignorance. I hope he gets every single one of his endorsments yanked along with his medals. What an embarrassment to his mother and the U.S.A. Pathetic....

By C. Mata. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:02 ??.

George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew cannabis on their plantations.

By mind your own business. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:00 ??.

It is clearly time to lift the ban on marijuana. People act so shocked that he smoked. He just became the poster child for the pro-marijuana movement. Yes, even world champion athletes do drugs.

By Benjamin. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:58 ??.

If he hasn't earned the right, then who has ?

By Madmax. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:57 ??.

What's with you people pointing to the bible and citing it as saying not to use drugs? It doesn't say anything against using mind altering substances, some that even existed back then! You're the same people that quote the bible as proof that vegetarianism is against God's will. Something along the lines of you must use God's creation as he wills. Well maybe God willed us to use this plant for its purpose.

By Eric. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:06 ??.

weeds only illigal because there is far more money in booze and fags,When you smoke a few your passive when you drink your aggressive disruptive create money for the goverment weed would only generate 7 billion a year where as tobbacco and drink is in the hundreads of billions with prisons and hospitals and lawyers and so on thats why weed would never be made legal not in out lifetime if they released all the prisoners for weed charges then there would be so much more room and no over crowding.as fighting a war on a non lethal drug justifies in there eyes a way to steal more money from the everyday honest joe bloggs

By cambodreads. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 5:03 ??.

Shouldn't the IOC be concerned with performance enchancing drugs, instead of performance hindering drugs, like weed?

By Dave. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:46 ??.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
King James Bible

By Roy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:46 ??.

Sports suck.

By Rick Astley. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:48 ??.

I thought pot was supposed to take away your motivation and make you a loser?

All the people crying about this guy getting stoned should tell us all how many gold models they won at the Olympics.

By E. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:47 ??.

Nothing wrong with a having a bit of a smoke.

Some drink to relax, others smoke to relax.

Alcohol causes far more problems for society than cannabis does, but it's legal.

All these fights that happened on Friday & Saturday nights in town centres are caused by drunk people, not stoned people!

Too many people end up with criminal records for smoking a plant. It's time cannabis is legalised!

By Emma. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:47 ??.

He's ruined his career. It's drugs, and most of the time pot leads to worse drugs. He needs to lose his endorsements to send a message that this kind of behavior is not okay. And yes, kids do look up to him because he achieved something no other Olympian ever has. He's not just an ordinary athlete. We all know he won eight medals and represented this great country of ours, the United States of America, and he needs to show a some self-respect and maybe be just a little humble. He looks like a fool.

By Julie. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:37 ??.

Legalize it, everyone's doing it.

By Rob elwell. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:36 ??.

A respected Australian doctor said that athletes should NOT be tested for marijuana because it is not 'performance enhancing.'

Although that is disputable!!

It certainly would make long hours of training much more fun!!

By Lindsay. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:36 ??.

It's not exactly a "performance enhancing" drug. I would say this picture should be more embarrassing to the clowns he owned in the pool than to himself.

By Mitch. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:44 ??.

If I had the lungs he does, damn a bong would be fun! Pot smokers are all around us, lawyers, doctors........let him swim and win and maybe people would realize that the "weed" does not make you crazy.
A man who can win 8 Gold Medals, in one Olympic Game should have the right to let loose, party and be carefree as much as he wants!
We really need to respect the work it takes to get to the Games especially to win 8 GOLD MEDALS!

By Johnny. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:40 ??.

Do you know why drug dealers profit from marijuana? Because it's illegal and there's a market for it. Yes, that’s right. Drug dealers are able to profit from marijuana because it’s illegal and because there’s a market for it. While it might not be their biggest money-maker, we could take those profits from them and put them back into our economy. How? Legalize it and tax it. It’s simple, really. Consumers are not going to go to a drug dealer to buy a sack of chronic when they can visit their local dispensary and get it for cheaper. Legalization would also create a whole new slew of jobs, something we could really use right now. We would need people to grow it, harvest it, package it, ship it, and sell it. There are also many other things the plant can be used for, including fabrics, paper, possibly an alternative fuel source, building materials, and who knows what else.

Guess what we’re doing instead? We’re jailing innocent people who got caught with some pot and using taxpayer money to keep them there. So, instead of making money and jobs by legalizing and taxing pot, we’re SPENDING MONEY to keep it illegal and keep people in jail, and all the while drug dealers are the ones turning a profit. Doesn’t sound very smart, does it?

By John Frank - USA. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:01 ??.

He passed all the drug tests, end of story

By Pete. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:00 ??.

To those who are bashing Michael Phelps and saying he doesn't deserve his medals or should have them taken away: get over yourselves, get off your soap boxes, and keep your ignorant mouths shut. The man earned every single gold medal he has in his collection. He has exerted more effort, more blood, sweat, and tears into earning those medals than most of you have exerted in your ENTIRE LIVES. Yet, all you nitwits can do is freak out over a picture of him smoking from a bong. Pathetic.

Before you are so quick to demonize this harmless plant, ask yourselves something. Was your life personally affected by this? Did you wake up in the middle of the night thinking, "Oh no! Michael Phelps just smoked some marijuana out of a bong!"? Are you injured, distraught, or personally affected in any way any time your neighbor lights up a blunt in the privacy of their own home? The little voice in your head that's saying "no" right now is probably the voice you should listen to the next time you open your mouth to regurgitate whatever it is you read somewhere that conveniently supports your skewed views.

By John Frank - USA. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:00 ??.

Good on him, you have to let your hair down every now and again.

This guy is the best there ever was, why should he care what everyone else thinks.

By Neil. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:00 ??.

Most people don't care if Michael Phelps smokes pot. He will care though, when he loses his endorsement deals. Bad business is bad business!

By Kent. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:59 ??.

Who cares if he was smoking weed? It's not going to enhance his swimming and it will just affect his lungs more than anything.

By Alex. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:59 ??.

Hey,
only Dopes use DOPE!!

By Victor. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:28 ??.

Good for Phelps. He's living it up, de-stressing, and probably indirectly proving how damn good he is--after all, from what I know about weed, his partying is certainly not considered "performance enhancing"--thus, if he smokes pot and wins more gold in 2012, he's more than legend!!!

By Mike. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:04 ??.

So there's been a lot of talk about Phelps being an Olympic medalist, greatest swimmer to walk the face of the earth, role-model, etc...

How does his personal ideology and culture fit into those roles? Did anyone ask him what his views of marijuana? He did train and live in Ann Arbor... I'm sure someone else out there has more accurate information on how Ann Arbor's policies.

Is he still the greatest swimmer in the world? Yes, maybe he could have been better... but I think he's doing alright with the whole swimming thing.

Is he a good role-model? He definitely proved that anyone... let me reiterate... ANYONE (regardless of how their culture fits into their society) can be an amazing athlete with hard work, determination, time-management, and a dream can achieve amazing feats. If Phelps' personal choices don't reflect that of your own, then perhaps you should have considered that before you placed him on such a high pedestal.

If you're raising children, I hope your raising them to be thinking individuals who can make their own choices in life. That's precisely what Phelps did... he made a personal choice and some choices have consequences...

I think he could have made some better decisions during his festivities, but it doesn't change his achievements in sport. He's a young adult and is still growing as a person.

By J.O.. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:03 ??.

I never cared too much for Phelps. Sure, he swam really well, but i don't care about what he does in his spare time. Its unhealthy for people to idolize him anyway.

What he did was illegal, and whether it should or shouldn't be illegal doesn't matter, he should pay the consequences just like the rest of us. Why should athletes be treated differently?

But yeah, i don't care. Let him go to jail, he deserves it. then lets talk about changing the laws.

By Zebulon. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:33 ??.

You bunch of freaking hypocrites! First you say he's a dweb and a goof. Then you say he's next to Satan. Give me a break. He's busted his balls all those years preparing for his day in the sun. He was beyond exceptional in what he did. He may be over the top, but he's just trying to catch up on what experiences he had to forego so far. If he wants to be a role model and regain his stature, it's up to him to kick this crap to the curb, get clean, and prove his outstanding talents as the guy who fell from the sky, but was able to redeem himself from his errors and was able to soar again. Everyone deserves a chance to rectify his bad behavior.

By JFB. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:33 ??.

Well considering it shouldn't be illegal in the first place there really isn't an issue here.

By Luke. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:07 ??.

The things people celebrate about Michael Phelps, and other althletes should be their natural athletic ability. Athletic ability has little or nothing to do with moral or ethical character. It really doesn't matter whether you see pot as a good or bad thing. MP is an amazing natural athlete, that's all he was ever supposed to be. Not a priest or a posterchild for teetotaling.

Aside from that, there has never been a great person who was "perfect". No matter how much some might wish that to be the case. "Imperfection" such as this is the human condition, no one should delude themselves otherwise. Look at Babe Ruth; Hell look to mythological archetypes, Heracles was the pinnacle of physicality, and inherited a slew of personal problems.

There is a persistant idea of perfection that permeates our society, and it should dissappear. Such a standard only guarantees that no one will ever be good enough.

By Nessus. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:05 ??.

He shouldn't be allowed to compete in the next games and his endorsement deals should be stripped. What an idiot! How could you climb so far and then do something so stupid and fall from grace so fast!

By R Nichols. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:05 ??.

So many critical that he is "wasting" his god given talent..to all of you I say we all have our own talents, the only difference is that you have accepted a mediocre life and therefore never discovered your "god given" talents....I think that's a bigger waste.

Live your life

By Jimbo. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:09 ??.

His only mistake was doing it in public so pictures could be taken. Grab a trusted friend (or go alone) and find a closed room. If you think for one second he was smoking while training, you're crazy. His lungs would be compromised.
He's a human being who needed to release the stress. I can't imagine how many of our "heroes" did illegal drugs 10 or more years ago and never got caught because there was no ever-presnt paparazzi or camera cell phones to plague us like Big Brother. Bottom line: These days you have to be prudent when you're partying like a rock star or are a (swimming) ROCK STAR.

By Smart Girl 67. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:27 ??.

Trent you are the arse. Better do your homework in chemistry, facts and spelling. Cannabis has so many uses as food, fiber and medicine. Even food can be abused. I am sick and tired of busybodies and socialists.

By libertyjack. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:26 ??.

People can debate on the morality of smoking pot, but the fact is companies who promote him are going to be pressured to distance themselves from him. The stupidity lies with him getting photographed doing this and losing money from promoters which will happen.

By Kevin. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:26 ??.

Dont worry about it Mikey, just get clean again in time for the 2012 olympics. Id rather see him smoking pot than binge drinking and killing someone.

By IheartJDAMs. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:17 ??.

When I was in college I lived in a dorm filled with swimmers. They partied hard but they also got up at 5am for practice and went to the pool at 4 pm...As long as he passes his drug tests I don't care...

By Gerry. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:24 ??.

I don't know why they would not let him compete... I mean, weed isn't exactly what you'd call a "Performance Enhancing Drug"....

By TheCheshireChap. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:24 ??.

How hyprocritical - people get upset about this, but not about athletes that booze it up to celebrate their success. Tell me what kills and maims more people in a given year - alcohol or weed?

By Zizzy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 4:22 ??.

That Michael Phelps could swim his way to eight gold medals at the Bejing games is utmost and foremost due to the GRACE and BLESSINGS of GOD that he received from above, period !

He is otherwise an obnoxious punk with an ego to match and I salute your publication's integrity to publish the goods on him despite lucrative offers (speak: Corruption attempts) from his camp !

RA RA RA RA RA to News of the World !!!!!!!! :)

Pot smoking is "Controlled Substance Abuse" in legal terms and this story w i l l gain traction and if it does not do him in, it will clip his wing$ close enough to put him behind the 8-ball of his "flying high" days !

The higher they fly, the harder they fall.

THANK YOU FOR PUBLISHING THIS STORY

By No.Phelps.Fan. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:00 ??.

You morans make excuses for him.....smoking dope is against the law you dumb a---------!!!!!

By Baaboo. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:08 ??.

If the picture showed him with a beer... big yawn.

Cannabis has been proven in studies, ad nauseam, that it's far safer than alcohol. It should be legalized. Sadly. there are too many opposing interest in preventing so, i.e. the alcohol industry all the way to the prison industry.

By taylor Sherrill. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:06 ??.

The point is he LIED. Look what dishonesty has done to our financial system. He said he would be drug free to the organization he belongs. Liars are crooks.

By Jed. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:06 ??.

Oh please. The USA will find a way to sweep this one under the rug just like everything else. He will be at the 2012 games. Wait and see.

By Debra. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:01 ??.

NO WAY A 23 year old smoking WEED?????? who would've thought.... o wait everyone because its NORML

By Kyle. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:01 ??.

Go Michael Phelps!!!!

By William. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:12 ??.

Why is it illegal? Lawyers make the laws. Lawyers benefit from this prohibition every time some kid gets busted. Follow the money!

MAKE 'em legalize it!

Best,
Frank

By Furry Frank. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:12 ??.

to all you people who say 'it shouldn't be illegal but it is so put him in jail' - what's wrong with you?

you think a law is unjust but you want to follow it anyway? Because it's easier than standing up for what you think is right and change the law?

Lazy Cowards.

For anyone who let this incident change your opinion of him... do you drink alcohol? Smoke cigarettes?

Whether you do or not, you have the choice.

For a drug as relatively benign as pot to be illegal when cigarettes and alcohol are not... well that's just wrong. People should be able to choose for themselves. Instead of taxing and controlling it like other vices, amazing amounts of money is spent trying to eradicate a 'problem' that doesn't really need to be a problem.

Does anyone recall an experiment called Prohibition?

By cj. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:20 ??.

C'mon people, it's just a plant.

By Tripp Knightly. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:15 ??.

MICHEAL PHELPS SMOKING WEED?
CLOSE
DOWN
EVERYTHING

By J.P. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:25 ??.

I AM AMAZED AT ALL OF THE SO WHATS JUST LET HIM PARTY THAT ATITUADE IS WHY WE ARE WHERE WE ARE NOW. ALL OF THIS DRINKING, DOPING AND ANYTHING GOES THINKING IS TAKING THE YOUNG PEOPLE OVER THE CLIFF AND THEY WON'T KNOW THEY ARE FALLING. (WAKE UP KIDS)

By jim. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:24 ??.

I guess the bigger they get, the harder they fall? Big ado over not much - kid having a good time at a party. Sad the mental abilities don't match the physical abilities, but I'd give him a break on this - about 1% the severity and consequence of drinking, driving and then killing an innocent person along with possibly yourself. Might turn into a learning moment if he goes on the road and talks about the dangers of addiction to anything that can harm your body.

By DennisinOhio. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:23 ??.

He broke the law. He is leading countless down the wrong path. He has abused the responsibility of his celebrity. He should lose all future gains and probably go to jail.

By Peter. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:22 ??.

Big deal. This happened after, not before the Olympics. And for the record, I haven't smoked dope in 15 years. Just my two cents.

By C.D.. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:22 ??.

Very sad. Fact check:Tobacco has 400 carcinogens, pot as 800. Both no good and both create dependency.

By Jay. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:21 ??.

Isn't it a right of passage? If Rappers can make millions and be popular doing it...why the double standard?

By Judgenot. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:20 ??.

Listen to the bumbling idiots, talking all their nonsense about what a terrible thing Phelps has done. Some people are just clueless, backwoods morons. They apparently don't know how many people smoked weed when they were 19 and went on to amazing achievements...millions of them and millions more on the way.

Ignorant people should not comment on such matters.

By bondsy bobbs. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:30 ??.

Damn, that is one ugly dude. Next time, try swimming with a bag over your head.

By T.. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:29 ??.

So, Phelps got caught smoking weed.
Does that mean he did not swim faster than every other competitor in every race?
If it does not mean that, then I must be missing the point.

By Brad. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:27 ??.

To all those morons who say that what Phelps is doing is illegal. Go check the law books. Hahaha. He is in Columbia and 20gms of marijuana on your person is considered personal use and not illegal at all. Wake up and smell the spliff. lol

By Frank JA. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:26 ??.

I don't see what the big deal is. So he used pot. So what? Whether or not he had used it before is irrelevant, the fact he smoked at all is not important. Just because he's a sports icon and people look up to him doesn't mean he shouldn't be able to have some fun sometimes. I think if people looked at the bigger picture of how idiotic it is that this drug is even illegal to begin with they would be able to cut him some slack. I mean seriously, who hasn't thrown down a little grass a time or two?

By Jordan Farmer. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:26 ??.

No, it doesn't make any difference in his accomplishments, but his accomplishments HAVE made him a role model; no longer a very good one to follow. Quite sad how so many people with stardom turn to such pathetic means of keeping themselves entertained.

By Ana. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:38 ??.

I love all of the self-righteous people that want to bash Phelps for smoking. Especially those quoting the Bible. Didn't the Bible famously say, let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Of course, I disagree that smoking is a sin, but for those who think it is, perhaps you should look at your own life and relative lack of accomplishment. When you make it to the top of your chosen profession, then you might have some credibility to decry others at the top of theirs. Perhaps if people would smoke more pot, there'd be a lot less wife-beating, senseless violence and destruction.

By Brian Dear. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:35 ??.

Put him in jail & ban him forever! Good God!

By Rusty Nails. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:33 ??.

It's ok to slam shots and drink like crazy, that's fine. Just don't smoke any pot. Stupid is the law, not Micheal.

By BobWard. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:41 ??.

It's really irrelevant whether pot is legal some places or not, or whether it's morally right or wrong to be a pothead. All that matters is that this guy is an olympic champion and he knew, or should have known, that with that championship goes the burden of proving to the public that he deserved it. All atheletes, politicians and public personalities share this burden. Many, as the former Governor of Illinois recently demonstrated, can't live with it. Apparently, neither can Michael Phelps.

By Jedsil. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:41 ??.

leave him alone he's just like any other young adult. I bet you all wouldn't want all the secret things you did when you were his age internationally known would you?
keep on going michael, you're an awesome inspiration

By anon. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:41 ??.

People will forgive the behavior. But he deserves to lose the endorsements if the picture is real.

By Kent. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:40 ??.

To be clear, marijuana is not a danger-free herb. It is a psychoactive drug with its own set of consequences, even ignoring the cancer debate. Acutely, people make bad decisions while high. Chronic users suffer from decreased volume in a number of brain regions, including those involved in memory formation and emotional regulation. Furthermore, marijuana use increases susceptibility to a number of mental illnesses, especially schizophrenia. Finally, use can also increase the likelihood of developing dependence/addiction to other psychoactive drugs, including alcohol. While I can see the arguments for limiting the availability of alcohol and nicotine - also dangerous drugs in people with a genetic susceptibility to addiction - making another dangerous drug available is hardly the answer.

By DG. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:39 ??.

Who cares!!! Everyone including cops smoke pot out here. I like him even more now.

By harry mellon. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:39 ??.

What a loser as well as many of the commenter’s here.

Yes, cannabis is natural, but it is mind altering and kills brain cells. It impairs judgment and not only places those who use it at risk, but those in contact with who use it. People who use cannabis often go on to experiment with other recreational drugs. Those are facts and is why it is illegal to use - as it should be. Many people who are smart enough (That's right "Mary") not to have ever used it enjoy the beauties and realities of what life offers us which are far greater pleasures than any mind - altering "herb" or drug will ever do. And yes, other tobacco products and alcohol are harmful as well.

Our society idolizes athletes and celebrities in a ridiculous manner. These are not role models. These are people like everyone else who happen to have some gift that is seen in the public eye. All human have gifts, but sadly our society recognizes and glorifies less important gifts.

The man broke the law and he broke the rules. He is not a victim. He knew exactly what he was doing and made the conscience choice to do it anyway. It was not an "error in judgment" as he clearly new how to use the pipe. He should be banned for four years as the Olympic rules say and he should be arrested for the use of marijuana and prosecuted as anyone else who were caught using the substance would be.

Actions do have consequences. It is time to pay the piper Michael.

By Pay to Piper. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:38 ??.

Give the kid a break.He's 23 yrs old.He's got 14gold medals and has been training for most of his life.who probably never really had a chance to really really have a little bit of fun.Its only weed.Not cocaine or crack or herion.I think it's ridiculous how low society has gone to target a celebrity or a person in the spotlight for smoking pot.Lets face it.Smoking pot in no way shape or form is a physical enhancment.He's proved himself eneogh.If he wants to have some beers or smoke a bong, who are any of us to judge.knowing that more than half of us have done the same thing at one point in our lives.

By BJG. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:45 ??.

Umm, if he was smoking the weed in November, there is no way a drug test in January/February could possibly detect any THC. Especially since Phelps is very fit and active

-THC, marijuana's active ingredient, is stored in fat cells, and can be metabolized with plenty of exercise, which I'm sure he gets

By taylor. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:44 ??.

to those who think he's an idiot ... did you think he was smart when all you knew about him was he can swim really fast? what does that say about you? .... some people here apparently put celebrities up on a pedastal ... some take glee when those same celebrities fall off ... let the man live his life ...

By alan. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:43 ??.

For all of you "It's illegal and that's that!" Americans, if it weren't for breaking the law, the United States of American wouldn't exist. Our nation was founded by people who broke the law in the name of principle.

Drug prohibition is unconstitutional (spare me the abrupt and radical change in the judicial interpretation of the Commerce Clause in 1937, allowing Congress to regulate anything having a substantial affect on commerce, noting human thought, determining what, when, why, where, and how we buy and sell always has that affect).

"They" who call it "dope" do so because they're prohibitionists taking billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars annually from you, people still buying into the clear prohibitionist deception achieved by swapping the words use and abuse to their convenience.

Read the prestigious Institute of Medicine report "Medicine and Marijuana: Assessing the Science Base", commissioned by the White House ONDCP, and promptly ignored by them when they didn't like it.

Dependency for marijuana in that report is 9% (and that dependency is generally mild), compared to 15% for alcohol.

Marijuana does not kill brain cells. Alcohol does.

Why did he take the bong hit? Because he was really drunk!

Way more societal damage is caused by you self-righteous types persecuting people you disagree with. What part of unalienable right to liberty do you so-called American patriots not get?

By Scott. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:51 ??.

I was getting really annoyed with how straight and narrow he was anyways. I am glad he isn't fake anymore. I respect that he is living with problems (vices) and those problems (good times = problems) follow him just like us who are watching and writing about it. The kid had a short time to do whatever the hell he wanted with his money until the handcuffs were slapped on his wrists again, do you blame him? Think about it. What would you spend your money on if you already got everything you wanted and gave to charity (for tax reasons)? Let me answer for you..... Have a good time!

By Trent. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:50 ??.

What an ass this big oaf with the double-jointed rotating arms is!! He may be tall but he has a lot of growing up to do. And anyone who smokes anything could have their jaws and tongues sawed off from the cancer smoking causes! Pot contains a ton more cancer causing toxens than cigarettes.
Oh but "let him have his fun, he is not hurting anyone" right? WRONG!!

By Meg. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:48 ??.

This is your brain on drugs
ZZZZZZZBZZZZZZZZZZZZZZBBBBBBBBBBZZZZZZZZZZZ
GRRRRRRRRRRRRBRRRRRRRRRRllllllllslslsl

This is your brain after years of drug use
000000000000000000000000000000000000000

By JenC. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:47 ??.

he lives by such a strict regime he should be allowed to let loose every now and then.

By hamish. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:57 ??.

Yeah, but did he inhale??????? This guy is dumb as a rock...he has an iq lower than a cop

By jack swannie. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:56 ??.

It's only fair to share.

By Taijiguy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 3:54 ??.

Freedom. It is a word that needs more examination. Evidently, a huge percentage of the people on this planet have something against it.

Let him have his Freedom!

By Zoopha. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:59 ??.

He's just plain stupid!

By Cycle3man. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:50 ??.

Give that guy another medal, crikey!

By John. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:50 ??.

It's nice to see others recognize another celeb train wreck in progress and hope he gets off the tracks in time. The party scene is a huge waste.

By Dave. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:49 ??.

oh no not THE DEVIL WEED!! Now uneducated idiots and doddering old people will be disappointed in michael phelps. his amazing athletic abilities and world record in gold medals mean absolutely nothing without the drool-lipped approval of the weed-fearing masses

By Jface. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:33 ??.

Congratsulations Michael! You are now a living legend. You will be shunned by some and revered by others. Live boldly.

By Agent Smith. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:32 ??.

b., what are you talking about straight and narrow?

By tomster. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:32 ??.

Another jock with a pea sized brain, giant ego and no clue how the real world works. He has just torpedoed his economic value to sponsors. He'd better be good at living the rest of his life on what he's made up to this point because the well is about to dry up.

The O.I.C. wants heroes not looser pot heads. If this story is true (and the drug test which will likely come soon proves it) he can watch the 2012 Olympics at home with his new pot head friends.

By Carl. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:31 ??.

Oh no he is a human being!!! Cut him some slack you hypocrites!

By jojo. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:34 ??.

It's none of our damn business. So there you have it.

By Daddyrabbit. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:43 ??.

He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone. He is just a normal guy with an amazing ability to swim.

By Lance. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:42 ??.

Buh-bye. Loser. 15 minutes are done.

By David. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:42 ??.

Legalize already!

By Sam. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:16 ??.

I LIKE TURTLES!!!!!!!!!!

By S. M. Allkid. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:16 ??.

A civilized society has rules. This man was given a gift with his abilities and was rewarded with medals, adulation and tons of money in endorsements. One of the rules he is required to follow is stay within the law and certainly don't do any drugs. You may think that pot isn't a big deal. Well, society, for whatever reason, has determined otherwise. He broke the rules. There are consequences. In his case, very severe consequences. To the person who said that he'll just laugh while polishing his Ferrari...don't be so quick with that assumption. He's probably going to have to return large sums of that endorsement money now and it's doubtful there'll be anymore coming down the pike soon. He messed up and is going to pay a penalty. Just like the rest of us would....although to a much higher degree. The higher you fly in modern society, the harder the fall when you mess up. While it's nothing we haven't seen before, it is disappointing.

By T Board. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:23 ??.

HAHAHHAHAHAAA. Another big shot jock throws tens of millions of dollars away in one stupid move. He's obviously far too stupid to be paid that much.

By Freddy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:20 ??.

what an idiot

By nightspy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:20 ??.

Wow, All you parents that need a role model for your kids... I'm a parent of 4 and guess what? I'm their role model! Me! Guess what else? I make mistakes! Yep I do. You guys must be real losers if your kids need to be FORCED to look elsewhere to find an acceptable role model. Yea the actual parents are so ashamed of themselves they need to divert their kids to look elsewhere for a role model. I can only shudder to think what these parents do that they don't want their kids to view them as role models. Get off your high, cheatin', probably stealin' from the rest of the public horses. You were kids once and did stuff that was illegal. Remember drinkin' in high school? It was called underage drinking then and it still is. Get over yourselves.

By Damian. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:29 ??.

Street cred! The endor$$$ement$$ will be bigger than ever

By duffy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:07 ??.

Let's hope this opens a conversation about the ridiculousness of the war against a substance less harmful than tobacco or alcohol. The drug war is a tragic farce, and it's about time our government woke up and realized it.

By Tony. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:06 ??.

Sounds to me like he's a candidate to run for President in 2016 on the democratic ticket.

By DuFoid. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:58 ??.

Very dissappointing. The guy should be better than this. It's not about anything more than class, and now it's obvious he has none.

By Ben Creekbaum. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:04 ??.

he won't get any any trouble swimming wise for using pot. They only test for performance enhancing drugs in the offseason, the only way you get in trouble for pot is if you use it during competition which he obviously didn't.

By bob. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:03 ??.

Does the IOC really ban athletes for doing drugs that don't improve performance and are legal in many countries? If so, then we should ban athletes that consume alcohol too, cause it's illegal in many countries.

This just goes to show that the marijuana and success are not mutually exclusive.

By Dan. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 2:02 ??.

and if he was drinking bud lite that would be ok.

Too bad the stuff is not legal, it would be a great commercial.

By geek. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:55 ??.

It's unfortunate and yet a testament to the human condition. It takes discipline and sacrifice to achieve the great things we desire and even still we are empty without Christ. It is truly sad to see how many people have lost the simple and deep satisifaction that comes from living a godly life.

By Average Guy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:54 ??.

Weed wouldn't help him swim better, so why should anyone care? A four-year ban for weed is idiotic.

By Al Jarreau. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:52 ??.

Voice of reason, here: Michael, you need to get your act together. Stop drinking, drugs, and carousing. You want a fulfilling life, not a degrading one. You know what is right, so do it; do what is right and you will have adventures far better than you could imagine. Don't trust me, read it for yourself in the Bible, the New Testament.

By Andrea Norberg. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:52 ??.

I'd much rather see him smoking a natural herb like marijuana versus a proven cancer causing and highly addictive tobacco cigarette, that accounts for over 500,000 deaths alone in the U.S. annually!

Why is tobacco still legal for that matter? It's due to the fact that it's such a cash cow for the federal and state governments. There's nothing wrong with smoking a little chronic once in a while. Try smoking a few cigarettes and you get hooked. And once you get hooked, it's extremely hard to quit.

By Thomas. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:51 ??.

in the US Marines if you smoke pot once you get kicked out

By marine. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:43 ??.

I am a grandmother, and I know for a fact that kids ( all kids) can buy pot easier than they can buy cigs. Legalize it and take it OUT of the hands of the dealers AND the kids

By lori. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:43 ??.

Why on earth do peope choose athletes as role models anyway? Poor choice by parents,
These goals are practically unachievable by the average person. Again, a ridiculous choice by parents.

A real role model is someone who changes the state of our lives. The state of our knowledge.

Like Carl Sagan, for example. Now HE was a role model!
A truly brilliant man, who brought science to the layman.
wink wink nudge nudge.

By Thundercloud. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:41 ??.

if pot is so great, let's not just legalize it, let's promote it..how about some money in the stimulus bill for it? require that all unemployed people smoke it?

i just can't believe i have a happy and successful life without smoking pot, but there is just a hole in my heart from all the experiences i missed out on by not getting high...oh well, its my cross to bear

By philly jim. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:40 ??.

It's not even that illegal in Massachusetts, and other liberal states, so what the big deal? It's the liberally endorsed way. He'll get even richer and win more medals. Go dude.

By mike. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:37 ??.

this is ridiculous. for many years michael was a role model for both myself and my children because of his determination and dedication. no he is getting wasted and doing drugs? what sort of role model does that? the behavior of michael is idiotic and foolish.

By anjali. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:29 ??.

It's against the FN Law. It is FN illegal. Side effects do not matter. He is a dumb ass.

By qerffasdfa. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:29 ??.

I heard his vision improved 100%

By jack. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:35 ??.

You guys make Gordon Brown look good.

(Really, how can you sleep?)

By Josh Rubenstein. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:35 ??.

So, who made these RULES all of us have to live by and with? I didn't get to vote on them, did you? Lets put mj to the people to vote or is the government too afraid to do that?

By lori. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:35 ??.

Look folks, the guy is a swimmer -- a very, very good swimmer, but still, he's just a swimmer. Why we put these athletic types on a pedestal and attempt to make them 'gods' is beyond my understanding. The same holds true for entertainers.

We need to look elsewhere for heroes.

Remember when a person's character mattered? When what one did for others was the measure of success? I'm thinking of statesmen, soldiers, medical innovators, explorers and the like. Athletes and entertainers are very risky to use as role models.

By dj. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:35 ??.

as a former cop.....who cares!......people need to get priorities straight.....last month in California alone......judges let 43 drivers who killed people in accidents back on the streets!.......until you get that under control......please get life

By bryon. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:35 ??.

Will the The US Olympics Committee ban alcohol consumption too? and then maybe cigarettes, and perhaps fatty foods?

By davidj. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:33 ??.

He's accountable just like everyone else. Kick him to the curb.

By Ken Stepp. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:26 ??.

I could care less but unfortunately it's gonna become a big deal... marijuana should be legal but the pharma industry lobbies against it because it's cheap to grow and can't be patented.

By jc. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:24 ??.

Good to see he's just a regular young man that wants to drink beer, smoke pot, and get laid. Leave him alone.

By Mrs. Phelps. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:23 ??.

Cannabis is NOT the problem. LEGALIZE!

By Johnson. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:23 ??.

if it ruins his career im sure hes not going to be sat in his multimillion pound mansion thinking ''oh them kids dont look upto me anymore''. yeah of course he's going to be bothered about that whilst polishing his ferraris. hes a young lad, millions in the bank, and he's famous. let him live.
dont judge him or expect him to live by your morals, imposing your morals on another is an immoral act by not allowing the them to have freedom of belief and choice.

By lee. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:19 ??.

Phelps is a loser!!!!! Its too bad that weed is more important than his career, He needs to grow up!

By beatlekid. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:17 ??.

It was nothing more than bad judgment from a kid that wasn't a rocket scientist to begin with. Shame on the morons that are condemning him, wanting him stripped of his medals and thrown into jail.

By JP. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:23 ??.

One of the world's greatest atheletes in the world smokes marijuana, doesn't exactly fit the anti-drug propaganda message of the blind prohibition goons. END THE PROHIBITION NOW!

By Benjamin. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:10 ??.

Definitely wouldn't of let any pictures if I were him... no mistake in smoking some weed... Washington Post did a 30 year study from 1976 - 2006 & the marijuana only smokers were cancer free... only those who smoked cigarrettes got cancer... EVERY OTHER REPORT/STUDY is propoganda!

By Tony. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:09 ??.

the man won 14 gold medals, let him hit dat bong

By blunt master. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:14 ??.

Your the man Michael. Marijuana is as harmless as ice cream. The marijuana laws in this country are a joke. Legalize it!

By Jason. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:13 ??.

A " Drug Addict" ... hardly....cannabis is not a drug...it is an herb and a gift from the Earth....though technically anything that changes your chemical makeup is defined as a drug , so then food is a "Drug" is it not? Not to mention nobody can prove what was being smoked out of the Bong...the stores that sell them clearly state that they are intended for "Tobacco Use Only"...

By Mr Vape. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:12 ??.

Reality knocking here. He's not a "role model" or a "hero". He's just a normal person who is good at swimming. That's it, that's all, don't make people into demi-gods. We all do things that someone , somewhere , doesn't agree with. Leave the man be.

By Reality. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:17 ??.

It's time for the world to stop acting coy about cannabis. WE ALL USE/USED IT. The more we act like "oh my god, a hero smoked dope", the LONGER this futile drug war will go on. Cannabis is harmless, unlike caffeine, nicotine and alcohol which are all legal.

Let's all stop acting stupid about pot.

By Mary. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:17 ??.

its not a performance enhancing drug. why should the olympic committee care?

By ambuckle. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:16 ??.

nice watch

By Reid. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:16 ??.

Finally time to legalize it

By Who cares. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:16 ??.

Good for Michael !! He just proved that you can be a world class champion while using this natural herb.

This proves the plant is harmless compared to alcohol or tobacco.

I only hope he will speak the truth about this natural plant, and not act like he did "something bad."

By Norman G Smith. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:16 ??.

good for him. I imagine he needs to unwind like the rest of us. Nothing wrong with weed every now and then. Less harmful that alcohol.

By Brian41. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:15 ??.

Stupid move, but who cares. It doesn't effect his accomplishments at all nor my opinion of him. For his endorsements it was a stupid decision, otherswise I don't care.

By Jesse from Tulsa. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:14 ??.

Take his medals back and remove his face from every cereal box. He's done.

By shenandoah. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:06 ??.

There is no logical reason to keep marijuana illegal. The cost of it would go down if it were to be legalized, the amount of money pumped into our economy and into our government would increase due to sales, and young people wouldn't have their professional careers jeopardized by a trivial drug possession charge. Also, keeping it illegal brings on more crime than it would legally, just like when alcohol was prohibited. Marijuana is also not addictive like cocaine and cigarettes and users are usually able to maintain control of themselves compared to alcohol which is hardly the case. MARIJUANA WAS INITIALLY MADE ILLEGAL BECAUSE OF RACIST PEOPLE IN WESTERN STATES. DO YOUR RESEARCH. PREJUDICE AGAINST MEXICAN IMMIGRANTS WAS THE BASIS FOR MAKING MARIJUANA ILLEGAL.

By greg. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:09 ??.

1. He's just a kid.
2. He's socially inept; if all he has done for the majority of his life is eat, sleep and swim, and now he is treated like a god, how surprising is it if he acts in an immature way...he's been living in a bubble.
3. Nobody should be surprised that he is letting loose, he is an adult, albeit a socially immature one. Any normal young man who has made the sacrifices that he has would be letting loose too.
4. Doing what he did publicly was stupid.
5. Yes, weed is illegal, he screwed up, but every one of these posters who opine that he should go to jail is a moron.

By John. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:07 ??.

If people think that he should give back his medals for smoking pot, given its legality than students engaged in underage binge drinking (in america that is people under 21) they should be stripped of their medals as well, and maybe the olympic committee should look into all of the worlds athletes that have broken the laws in their individual countries. Maybe the World Cup people should look into life time ban on Pro football players that break the law or lifetime team bans for that type of behavior.

By jake. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:07 ??.

This is just silly. No big surprise here that he smokes and enjoys himself from time to time. We all loved seeing him win his medals, so why don't we just leave him alone and let him live his life the way he chooses. Just because he's a public figure doesn't mean he should be held to some ridiculous moral standard(which is rapidly on the decline). Even if you haven't smoked pot before this should not be an issue. He has worked hard to reach his goals so who are we to tell him he must live a certain kind of moral life just because he's famous. That's just ridiculous.

And for those rule sticklers out there clamoring about MP "breaking the rules" and how he's screwed up his swimming career, well the drug he used was POT! Not a performance enhancing drug! I've heard of much worse things going on in college football locker rooms but none of it involves performance enhancing drugs. My point being that athletes are people, actually extraordinarily physically gifted people, but people like you and me none the less. Just because you're a gifted athelete does not obligate you to be someone you don't choose to be. Out sports crazed society seems to put athletes on some silly moral pedestal. How bout we leave that seat for our politicians. In the grand scheme of things this whole issue is very trivial and more destructive than the actual act of smoking pot could ever be.

By A. Lowe. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:07 ??.

You Go Michael. Reminds me to light up. Legalize the stuff and end the war all at once. Make booze illegal again and watch the "Holy'r than thou" scream

By james d. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:05 ??.

And I thought I lost a lot of money this year....

there goes the contracts. Dumb.

By CC. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:02 ??.

The law is a national disgrace. Michael Phelps is not.

By Tom Anderson. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:02 ??.

Tally the number of families destroyed by drivers stoned on Alcohol and compare that to the numbers killed by someone stoned on pot and you begin to see the staggering level of hypocrisy required to proclaim pot illegal while alcohol is legal.

By Patti O'Riley. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:01 ??.

There is nothing wrong with marijuana use. I hope people see that threatening a man's career over using marijuana use is absurd. It reflects the arbitrary, unintelligent, and vindictive nature of anti-marijuana propagandists.

Please Google "Marijuana Policy Project" to learn more about responsible drug policy.

By LibertyLover. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:01 ??.

oh my god, he smokes marijuana? im going to rip all of his posters down. you are dead to me michael. DEAD!

of course i am kidding and in no way hate michael phelps.

By Blair. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:00 ??.

its legally prescribed for medical ailments ..its a wonder drug...it does not enhance his performance at all...stimulants are banned...also it may not have been pot, as his lawyer will say...possession is 9/10 of the law...it will be legal soon...all the haters are loooooooosers! get a life, go back to church

By kevin. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 1:00 ??.

Nobody guilt trips people when they go out and get drunk but weed gets this "gotta hide it ahhh" stigma even though Alcohol is clearly far more deadly and has less medicinal purpose. Nice logical society we've built ourselves here.

By lulzcow. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:59 ??.

WOW!,...That really sucks.....disappointing. Thought he was above all that..my children really looked up to him. He WAS the best.

By Chris. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:59 ??.

It's a no brainer, the doping community condones drinking to excess and makes oodles of money off of it all their functions and events and yet a bong hit will end this career. London and the IOC have too much riding on this. It is time they and the rest of the world legalize and tax it to death and move on.

By Denis from USA. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:58 ??.

stupid is stupid does

By elvis presley. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:58 ??.

Something to consider...

Marijuana is unique in having several several medical applications and no known lethal dosage. However, OTC drugs like aspirin and ibuprophen account for an estimated 7,600 deaths (and 76,000 hospitalizations) each year in the United States alone while marijuana kills no one. Those who would attempt to argue that marijuana is worthy of prohibition or demonization because of the risks it poses to human beings will find that the powers of the human brain are simply insufficient for the job.

By Baja Bryan. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:57 ??.

He'll most likely lose all his endorsements and wind up a drug addicted, alcoholic, sleeping on a park bench, somewhere in NYC's Central Park as a result of societies REACTION to his drug use, rather than the drug use itself.

JUST SAY NO?

By J.Jones. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:57 ??.

Well, if that isn't going to freak out most Americans! Oddly enough, those who are most vocal about the 'horrible consequences of smoking pot' are the ones who are most ignorant on the subject.

It's infinitely better for him than smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol.

By L.S.. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:53 ??.

As far as I'm concerned, I say get a pound a pot for everyone on the 2012 US Olympic Swim Team.

By Popvelocity. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:53 ??.

He does not even measure on the radar, and to all of you parents raise your own kids. IFyou did that your kids would not need a role model.

By d. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:53 ??.

It's only acceptable to relax with corporate sold means. If the corporations can't sell it then it's taboo and immoral.

By Yeahman. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:52 ??.

Marijuana is not manufactured, it's grown.
He was partying and blowing off some steam.
Big deal. I'm not getting in to the debate about legal vs. illegal. I will say someone's after work use does not concern me.

By E. T.. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:55 ??.

I think the important things to consider here are:

1. Does this drug use impact his olympic performance

2. Did he do it with the intention of gaining some unfair advantage over other athletes

and

3. Is this offense grave enough to merit the punishment that it does?

Obviously, the answer is no to 1,2. The question of his "impact" on "the children" and all that bull crap is noteworthy, but irrelevant legalistically.

Whether he could be given some other punishment, as this is weed, and you would have to be insane to chastise anyone harshly for using it, is another issue.

Id say some sort of probation, drug abuse seminar and weekly check ups would be in order, given his fame, dedication and the lack of severity in this.

By Jon. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:55 ??.

He's just a 23 year old swimming expert, he's NOT piloting an airliner or a train or a tanker. Big deal, he's just doing what probably most 23 year olds have done in the past. Get over this "Holier Than Thou" syndrome, people.

By Fishsnot. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:55 ??.

Unjust laws have been around as long as man has regulated the law.

The law has been used as a tool to discriminate against the poor and minorities, by the people in power to keep them in power.

It is time for the poor common people to rise up and take the power that has been so long denied.

The majority should rule, not the rich elite, but the common man and woman.

Michael Phelps is a Hero, and whatever he does in his spare time is between him and God.

By Joshua. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:52 ??.

Cmon man, weed aint exactly a performing enhancing drug here. If he can win gold medals while smoking any lung capacity removing crop, then it should be a testament to the monumental athlete this guy is. Just imagine if he didn't smoke. He might win every gold medal there is to win.

By Max Cohen. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:51 ??.

I find it apalling that such an athlete who has trained so hard and accomplished so much uses such a small bong.

By Roger. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:51 ??.

I bet even when he was high, he was still intelligent enough to spell "you're" and unlock his cap key.

By Mikeman. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:49 ??.

Pot is the least of this worlds problem, that's for sure.

Legalize it and then apply federal taxes to help pay for the Democrats $888 billion I O U bill for their donors and party favorites like Mob-run Unions and Vampire Trial Lawyers........

How does that sound? Phelps is fine....

By perceptions. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:48 ??.

Dude smokes weed and wins 14 gold medals!
Now that is what I call sportsmanship.
Dang! he should get an extra gold medal for being way cool!

By sam I am. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:47 ??.

You know, this is really sad. While his mother raised him so well....when all young athletes become successful overnight....with extremely high wealth...many times they dont have a good manager, coach or DAD who would help guide them through these times.

He is about to ruin his entire life!!

As to legalizing pot here in the U.S......well, we ought to legalize all drugs and prostitution...then tax it like cigarettes, booze etc....enact strict laws ( like drunk driver laws)...and the profits from these vices would eliminate the national debt, drop the crime rate by at least 50%, save millions on law enforcement.....and allow politicians to "spend wildly" because of their new found wealth!

By khan. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:47 ??.

I have no problem with marijuana use, I think it is a fairly harmless activity. However, I absolutely detest Michael Phelps, I hate everything about him and I hope that his "career" crashes and burns over this.

By Ryan. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:46 ??.

Michael was of illegal age to drink liquor so if he wants to get drunk, so be it. Smoking pot is against the law and he broke the law. He now needs to pay the price. What a dumb ass to be doing this in public. Not a very bright guy....

By tom. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:46 ??.

I can't believe it! My son's hero is a drug addict! I hope he is banned from the Olympics forever. He is a disgrace and I never want to see him on T.V. again. He needs to check into rehab immediately. Addiction is not a joke.

By Jerry. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:45 ??.

Smoking Pot does not destroy your life, the legal system will destroy your life.

By Cindy. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:45 ??.

The reason why it won't ever be legalized is because if it was made legal, within a week the big tobacco companies would make a monopoly out of the canabis industry and it would be next to impossible for one to grow their own product and the prices would be sky high to purchase the stuff. And that's not the only prob., once you legalize it, you're going to have millions more Americans who are too lazy to go to their jobs and become less productive. That is not what is needed today.

By Drew. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:45 ??.

good for him... he trained for years now he is relaxing. Pot doesn't mess you up nearly as bad as alcohol... take a picture of him doing vodka shots and I would be more angry

By kncik. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:45 ??.

Son, all you gotta do is say "I never inhaled". Hek, I know someone used that line.

By W J Clinton. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:44 ??.

Not only is he a SUPER-STAR Athlete, He's hip & cool too!

By August. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:42 ??.

Man, that's one ugly SOB.

By God. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:42 ??.

I was gunna do ten laps.. then I got high..
I was gunna go train... then I got high..
Now they took my Barclaycard...
And I know why...
Cos I got high...
Cos I got high...
Cos I got high...

Sing along now folks..
dah dah dah dah dadda dah

Pass the herb !!!

Dubstepping Bristol Mum

By Dubstepping mum. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:42 ??.

to all of you that are shocked that atheletes do drugs, please grow up. Most pro atheletes smoke weed occasionally or regularly.
When did america turn into a bunch of hypoctritical asses. Live and let live as long as it does not hurt another person. America - land of the free is becoming Amerika - big brother will protect you from yourself.
Stop putting actors and atheletes on ivory pedestals.

By jack. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:41 ??.

GIVE HIM A NINTH MEDAL IMMEDIATELY.

By KATE. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:41 ??.

This is exaclty what Bill Hicks was talking about

By Eric. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:41 ??.

Pot is more dangerous than liquor as it destroys brain cells. Bad example.... tisk, tisk....

By abby. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:40 ??.

If I won 8 olympic gold medals, I'd celebrate too. Also, people should stop looking to others for role models. Half the time the public forces people to be role models when the person in question doesn't ask for the position. Why should we model ourselves and our children after someone else anyways? Be yourself! Also, shame on you reporters for snooping into his private life! What gives you the right to exploit him like this?

By Lauren. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:38 ??.

He's a fool: for smoking weed in the first place and for screwing around with his public image. His endorsement value just went up in smoke.

By Ottoman Umpire. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:38 ??.

One reason why FDR legalized alcohol during the First Great Depression was to tax it, and use the proceeds to pay for government programs - to help refinance mortgages, I think. Google it if you care. Anyway, Aquaman, maybe you could save the entire global economy by endorsing the legalization of marijuana! You know Obama would give it a shot, if he had enough grassroots support.

By friendlyskies. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:37 ??.

what about the thousands and thousands of children born with out fingers and toes and hands and feet...send out this message undrlying cannabis is a huge data base of genetic damage done by pot smoking parents...yea idt hasnt killed many(not counting auto, aircraft and god knows how many other accidents caused by poor judgement when under cannabis influence) but it has maimed and decreased the intelligence and iniative of billions of partakers of cannabis. Not to mention the familys it has broken....oh yea it feels good.......at u r own risk suck it up!

By david de lones. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:37 ??.

Thank heavens. I though Michael was a robot. This shows that he is human and for crying out loud, it is marijuana, not cocaine or alcohol.

Leave him alone!!!!!!

Michael, just be careful in future. Thare are many people out there hoping for your downfall, so no more marijuana, ok?

By Anna. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:35 ??.

After reading these comments, it is no wonder the world is going to pot. Look at the death rates and results from our two legal drugs, alcohol and tobacco---and now you want a third? Please!

By karen. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:34 ??.

He broke the rules. Fry his ass like anyone else. Maybe losing millions will wake his stupid ass up.

By frob1. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:33 ??.

No wonder he ate so much!

By The Beer Fart. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:33 ??.

I think this shows that there are truly gifted people out there that smoke marijuana but are also functional, successful individuals that contribute to society.

Let's hear it for people that smoke pot and have successful, fulfilling lives....!

By Dean Perry. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:32 ??.

If you think that this garbage pot is not addictive, think again. Here is a guy with a future and destroyed it all for some drug manufactured is some foreign country with you know what other ingredients on it. We are at a point in time in our country when need to have a very clear head to make the important decisions to get the country out of this economic mess. Acting like this is irresponsible for him, his family and his country.

By Raul. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:32 ??.

Since when is weed a performance enhancer...who gives a crap? I now have greater respect for the man! I'd love to think when he stands up in the starting platform that he just smoked a great big bowlfull.

By Me. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:32 ??.

Ok, your fifteen minutes of fame is up. Return the medals you don't deserve them...

By LEGEND. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:30 ??.

Some day in the future, the world is going to be joking about how stupid this rule was that we now have,to ban such a mild and harmless drug.

By Ellie. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:26 ??.

Good on him! Hope he enjoyed it! The stuff should be legal anyway.

By EmmaQ. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:25 ??.

You mean he is human?

Wow.

By J. Samsuni. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:29 ??.

anyone surprised by this clearly hasn't seen what the kid eats every day... large pizzas, multiple pounds of pasta, entire boxes of biscuits, and energy drinks by the case.

By charlie. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:29 ??.

It's illegal...he should be thrown in jail and his medals should be stripped.

By Jeff. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:28 ??.

As a mother with children, it matters to me if he is smoking pot and the message he is sending. I hope the olympic committees that oversee this and his endorsers will make sure they send the message that illegal drugs are not tolerated, but anyone for any reason. If someone who has illegal habits are allowed to participate in sports because no one is aware, that is one thing; but if it is known that he will be a bad influence to millions of children and this is ignored, that is completely another.

By karen. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:28 ??.

He has not thrown anything away. He is still "The winner". otheres have a problem..You go champ!!!

By Tom. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:27 ??.

Well I am definitely not going to condone this sort of behaviour, but come on he is what 19?
If he decides he is going to smoke that is his perogative.And btw what 19 year old college student doesn't go out and party.SO PLEASE GET OVER IT!

By Meagan.. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:26 ??.

USADA and WADA do not test for weed out of competition.

By F.RAB. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:22 ??.

The Olympics are a joke anyways. Who cares if he smokes dope.

By Shabba Ranks. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:22 ??.

Oh--Puh_LEEEEEEZE--I am a 62-yerwa old middle class male--and know that Mr. Phelps' behavior with the bong is no different from that of other normal people his age--get off his case!!!!! If this stops his career--then we are a sorry bunch of hypocriticali dung-brains!

By bob. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:21 ??.

no one ever said he was a smart kid

By abob. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:20 ??.

Listen, the guy has ADD......it was for medicinal purposes and it looks like he was taking his medicine. So get over it already.

By Bong Olina. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:20 ??.

i just saw somebody say he threw everything away for that high??? i am pretty sure he is still the fastest swimmer in the world even though he smokes. this just proves that the weed doesn't ruin anything. the only reason it is bad is because people make it bad in their minds. he is just more of a hero for me

By Ryan. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:19 ??.

Career over!

By AquaFineMan. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:25 ??.

"Idiots are unable to handle success."

Idiots are unable to comprehend the scale of a situation.

It's not performance enhancing.
Many scientists will tell you it's no more dangerous than tobacco or alcohol.
It was during his off-season.

By all means if an athlete takes something to shave even thousandths of seconds off a time then drag them over hot coals and ban them for life.

However, if you're telling me stoned athletes are at a distinct advantage and enhancing performance then I'd like to sit down and have a really, really good listen to the evidence the boy has done anything at all with a bong to help him win a competition.

Alternatively, take a rather large quantity of acid, have a go at the triple jump and let me know how you get on.

By Chris C. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:24 ??.

Those of you who feel the weed is a benign substance are not very informed. People become suicidal and violent when deprived of their "I don't care about anything" drug. And it does destroy brain cells. That's the beauty of the substance, no brain, no pain.

By BB. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:23 ??.

Marijuana is regarded as bad? That's news to me. I've had a perscription to medical marijuana for my pain for as long as its been allowed here in California, and when used in a vaporizer, marijuana is not harmful by any means. Theres a 2-3% decrease in lung capacity, but otherwise i live a happy and normal life thanks to marijuana. Normally I wouldn't be able to function with the pain i'm in from my knee. I am persecuted here however like a common criminal, often harassed at any moment by cops who believe the drug to be as dangerous as coke apparently.

My medical marijuana dispensary has not been raided yet, but this is my 15th different one, 13 of the last 14 were raided by drug agents and closed. Essentially cutting off my supply of a normal life. All because the governemnt is too baised and has too much to gain from the pharmesutical and fabric industries to wise upand legalize what could be a large producer of money for America.

All the govenrment can point to is some skewed paid testimony by a "credible scientific study" and the same old "gateway drug" arguement which is just plain ignorant, as alcohol is more likely to drive you to other drugs than marijuana.

I just wish people knew about this p0lant, and how much good it can do for people and our country, instead of being closed-minded just like the rest of the public.

By Justin. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:23 ??.

Who actually watched the Olympics? Watching this dork flame out is about as suspenseful as watching Brittany Spears self destruct. Commentators pick their heroes (anybody hear who the new U.S. President is?) and follow them to the end. Take away the new record enhancing Speedo suits that came out last year, and you have an average intellect kid who isn't worth the ink. Britain, the US, and many other countries have many losers sucking on bongs. This one has a public status.

By John. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:22 ??.

I personally don't think pot is a big deal, but it is ILLEGAL. should it be legal? yes, but i'm not the law. Big companies have to cave to the law, even if they think like me, or they likely lose out more by other companies that are forced to cater. This sucks, but michael knew it was ILLEGAL when he did it, and he knows he is a huge public figure. It was dumb, yes, and he should be smarter than the average joe. I wouldn't care one bit, but if you don't follow the law (usa olympics committee) then you have to let everyone get high all the time.

i agree, just legalize it.

By Law is the Law. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:12 ??.

You know, if stories like this bother you because "it's just reefer" you Americans should contact your local congressmen and tell them to consider legalizing it. Think of the tax money that could help bail out the economy!

By Legalizeit. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:16 ??.

I never believed this would happen to him. Now that he has reached down to the absolute depths of despair and depravity...he will probably become a born again Christian. It happens all the time. It is god's way of replenishing the stock of Christians in the world...as people continue to become free thinkers and discover that God is Not Great! Michael has enough money to start his own Church...which he should do. He can then make more money than any of those "fund-raiser" ministers. And once people realize it is Michael and not Obama who is the second coming, Michael can become President in 2012. hmmmm...President Reverend Michael Phelps, former Rastafarian....sounds delicious! hehehehehe

By eckswhyzee. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:13 ??.

who cares? if the guy can smoke weed and be the best swimmer of all time, this is clearly an example that marijuana can't be as bad for you as all those (who refuse to test the plant) say it is. the knock is against the drug war, not against phelps

By Eric Pons. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:19 ??.

i just saw somebody say he threw everything away for that high??? i am pretty sure he is still the fastest swimmer in the world even though he smokes. this just proves that the weed doesn't ruin anything. the only reason it is bad is because people make it bad in their minds. he is just more of a hero for me

By Ryan. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:19 ??.

First he should go to jail, after that maybe Dr. Phil can help him straighten out his pitiful life.

By JesusIsLord. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:18 ??.

Obviously it's common for anyone, let alone a celebrity to do drugs and get wasted.

What is more dissapointing though about this is that people say he's obnoxious and routy, and a womanizer. I suppose that class comes with age.. not gold medals

By J. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:17 ??.

It was just a matter of time. We bumped into him in Ann Arbor and he wouldn't let us take his picture in A BAR. His reason was that he didn't go to bars. I said but Michael your in a bar now? Typical Ann Arbor hypocrite.

By A2 Bobby. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:16 ??.

Well, i think NORML has a new spokesman

By Colin Godsey. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:16 ??.

He could add a cover of High Times to go with the SI cover. He would be a great spokes person for the cause. Legalize It!
If you think he is doing something wrong, then you need to get your head checked.

By Maria Juana. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:59 ??.

If the picture is really him, he deserves to be barred from future competition. It's a fool's reward.

By Peter. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:59 ??.

Wah, Wah, all you pot heads defending him, like it or not... it is ilegal.

Do I think drug laws need to change... YES, but for now, it is against the law.

By Spider. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:58 ??.

Okay, dope is illegal. Did you read that part? ...illegal...

You may wish it weren't, and maybe if you wish really hard, one day maybe it won't be. But today it is.

The guy is a dope. How appropriate.

By beeboo. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:01 ??.

Decades of research has all but proven the harmless, yet therapeutic benefits of this plant. End the nonsense.

By bg. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:01 ??.

It's a P L A N T, not a D R U G.

Brawp. hats off to you michael.

By Joseph Welsh. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:01 ??.

legalize it and leave him alone.

By bill. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:01 ??.

"Drugs are bad, look what he's throwing away blah blah". The argument makes no sense because the only danger is from the law, the core of the problem is ignored. Possibly the most talented and successful Olympic Athlete smokes pot, what does that tell you? It's not the pot that ruins peoples lives, it's the laws against it. And to the people that say "you should obey the law because it's the law", if that were the truth where would Martin Luther King have gotten? Where would people like Thomas Jefferson have gotten, or George Washington, they would be considered terrorists now days, law breakers, evil doers. If pot was really as dangerous as they say it is I doubt a pot smoker would become an Olypmic Athlete, let alone the best one that ever lived.

By Chris. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:00 ??.

Does this mean we don't have to see the back of his throat and hear him scream when he wins a race? Hopefully.

By Lastrep. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:00 ??.

More proof that even winning 8 gold medals doesn't fufill. Now he needs pot to fill the emptiness inside. What will be next?

By bill. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:00 ??.

to whomever said: how else could he consume 15,000 calories? YOU NAILED IT!

By Gene. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:09 ??.

i like him more now!!

a real hero!!!

way to rip mike!!

By way 2 go MIKE PHELPS. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:09 ??.

END THE DRUG WAR. Stop criminalizing peaceful behavior. Alcohol is legal, yet it does a million times more damage to society than pot.

By Hank. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:06 ??.

A modern King Saul. Why do so many talented people choose to live a life that usually ends up in shame. He knows the rules, and if he screws up, he must take the consequences.

By William. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:06 ??.

Marijuana always slowed me down, which makes this guy even more amazing in what he did.

I would be ticked if he were on speed to temporarily enhance his ability to swim.

Maybe he just wanted to give the slowpoke Brits a chance next time?

Give him a break.

By Ray. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:06 ??.

A; let him smoke.
B: "powers that be" keeping their collective mouths shut, what a surprise! they aren't going to enforce the laws/regs that they passed on the biggest star in swimming for years.
typical hypocracy.

By john adams. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:02 ??.

I'm pretty disappointed but not surprised. Fame gets to everyone, it doesn't matter who you are, if you are the best at anything its going to happen to you, your going to mess up and people are going to look down on you... not that I'm defending him, because what he did was wrong and I will not push it out of my mind. I know he's lost one fan who knows how many others he's lost as well.

By Heather. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:02 ??.

I am shocked that an athelete, especially one of his caliber, actually smoked. Every good athelete know that even the smallest bit of smoking affects performance.

By artful. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:02 ??.

Haha. I love it. The best olympian ever... smokes pot? This should be a huge wake-up call to any naysayers of cannabis. Look what he accomplished.

By matt n. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:02 ??.

Wow... he smoked weed... he's still one of the greatest athletes EVER... who cares if he burned some cannabis. Some of the most successful people I know smoke marijuana, but they don't let it affect there work.

By Joel. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:02 ??.

Michael, you're fine, smoking from a bong does not take away from what you did in the last three Olympics, and for you people who are attacking his "character," allow me to educate you: Swimming is a sport where there is no companionship, little variety, huge amounts of prolonged pain, strict discipline, and nothing but a black, tile line to stare at, for hours every day, including weekends. You "characters" out there have no idea what it takes to get to his level of accomplishment because you've never had anywhere near the discipline he has, though I imagine you make many excuses as to why not.

So go ahead and judge him if it makes you feel better about yourselves. He'll still earn more money, sleep with more women, and be more accomplished than you. Give him a break. As a fellow competitive swimmer I can tell you that being confined to a pool your entire life isn't actually the easiest thing to go through, believe it or not.

By lingus. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:12 ??.

I'd say he deserves to toke whenever he wants. How many gold medals have you won? We aren't so free are we.... can't even smoke in peace.

By Rob. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:12 ??.

Good for him, let him party.

BUT!

Let him be responsible for his actions. And if the ruling body of his sport says smoking dope (why do you think they call it that?) is forbidden and prevents him from entering events, that is the rule and we all move forward.

Personal responsibility is severely lacking these days, this can be a great lesson.

By Bob Collins. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:11 ??.

Maybe its medical marijuana

By Jjjjjjj. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:11 ??.

SO what. The man can win the most gold medals in history and smoke some mary jane every now and then. Good for him! Cannabis has been proven to be medically useful for so many different diseases and conditions that it is now legal in 13 US states. And it had been linked to how many deaths in recorded history? The answer folks, is ZERO. What about alcohol and tobacco? 500,000+ deaths annually from alcohol and tobacco combined. 500,000. FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE DIE EACH YEAR FROM ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO. Put THAT in your pipe and smoke it. Our economy is collapsing and people are freaking out over a plant. It's a plant. And the DEA continues to spend billions of dollars every year fighting this harmless plant.

By Smoh Kweed. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:11 ??.

Poor jugment! Sure his mother is not proud of her golden boy.

By beau. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:10 ??.

Incidentally, the alcohol will probably do much more damage to his body than the marijuana could, yet the marijuana is what everyone's focusing on.

>After reading this article I think he deserves another metal. Marijuana is not exactly a performance enhancing drug...

Yeah. The 4-year-drug-ban is for steroids and the like, not alcohol and cannabis.

By scythe. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:09 ??.

Marijuana being illegal is one of the biggest scams our government has ever put over on it's people.

By aaron. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:09 ??.

Some are suggesting that this sends the wrong message to our youth.

It's not his job to send a message to your kids. That's your job.

I don't want my kids idolizing someone whose whole life consists of, "eat, sleep, swim; eat, sleep, swim; eat, sleep, swim.”

By James. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:09 ??.

Legalize it.You jerks who are pointing fingers and smiling probably go round to the pub and drink yourself silly. It's funny how you Brits are so quick to judge Americans and completely forget all the problems this world faces because of the mess left behind by the British Empire.

By Matthijs Ouderland. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:09 ??.

I see the people saying legalize it and perhaps you hold valid points. At this time period though, it is illegal, so what he did was wrong. Throw the book at him.

By Doombot. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:08 ??.

Oh, and by the way, what's up with all of comments that said, "If he wants to swim again, he will?"

Do I need to point out the obvious that the Olympic Committee sets the rules, not you or me.

Want to legalize it? - that's great for you. Want to smoke it? - fine, YOU'RE not an olympic athlete who wants to compete in 2012. But HE is. Another reason why he's an idiot. AND a crappy role model. He's got a great message to send... "Hey kids, want to compete or do something really well? Well, go out and violate the rules of the organization that lets you compete!"

Man, how disappointing.

By Beeboo. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:07 ??.

Oh, who cares... Weed definitely won't enhance his swimming abilities (unlike steroids), so no one can say crap. Besides, any pot smoker able to accomplish something major (against the stereotype of being lazy, watching TV, and getting the munchies) deserves a DOUBLE medal in my book.

So chill out everyone, this is not the end of the world.

By Tha Juki Queen. Posted 2? 1 2009 at 12:07 ??.

it is 2009 people, it is just weed, get over it. I dont smoke weed anymore, but if that is his choice than so what? I am sure most people saying how terrible he is are drinking shwag miller light as they type there absurd comments.

By Dustin. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:45 ??.

I'd still do him!

By J. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:45 ??.

he got caught breaking olympic rules. and he lost his status as a positive role model. there goes his job and his endorsements. one stupid mistake ruined it for him

By s. brew. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:45 ??.

It's a good thing he smokes pot - or he'd have kicked even MORE ass at the Olympics!

Some of you folks need to lighten up and smoke some pot yourselves. Sheesh. Shut up and go read your Bibles.

By Bruce. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:45 ??.

who cares? leave him alone, the kind of training he had to undertake was mind-blowingly strict, he's just having some fun

in fact, drugs should be legalized and TAXED (as it is, money-laundering banks and criminals are the only people to profit from this trade)

By who cares. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:44 ??.

Who cares if he smokes weed? I just hope that he does the right thing, stands up and says something to the effect of, "Yeah, I smoked weed. So what of it?" I will lose all respect for the guy if he chumps out and kow-tows to the weed is evil crowd. For God's sake, it's JUST WEED! It's a plant! Get over it. I also agree with the above posters that this proves that smoking weed is not harmful to you in any way, regardless of what our idiotic government tells you.

By TG. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:44 ??.

The weed turns him into the amazing AQUAMAN and provides him with the ability to swim faster than any mortal man..

By toasted. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:44 ??.

This story simply offers further proof that our Government are lying to us when they say cannabis is dangerous. The greatest Olympian ever smokes pot, so it obviously hasn't effected his performance. It will be a shame if he is denied the chance from winning more medals simply because he enjoyed smoking some cannabis from a bong, which is something millions of us do, causing no harm whatsoever.

By Chris Bovey. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:44 ??.

Now I look up to him because he can smoke weed and still win. Britian has been ruined because of drinking. Brtis are fat. Eat some more fried fish wrapped in newspaper.

By Jack. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:49 ??.

How quickly the might fall. But I'm not surprised at all. I've seen the coverage of him in Las Vegas, hopping from "hip" club to even "hipper" club....pretending to be a male version of Paris Hilton. It's hard to find role models these days...everyone is ga-ga over Obama and then they think smoking pot is just cool, man. We really have become a sick society. We deserve what we get.

By Andy. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:49 ??.

Yeah, so it's okay to send the wrong message to kids by doing drugs? Don't think so.

By M. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:48 ??.

oh who cares. he's a goddamn swimmer.

By frank. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:47 ??.

"I say let him experience the consequences of his choices...and therefore show kids what dumb decisions can do to your dreams

By Lynn. Posted January 31 2009 at 11:00 PM"

You mean win a heaping helping of gold medals? Good lesson. I concur.

By sigh. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:47 ??.

Maybe he just used bad judgement. Maybe it was peer pressure. Give the guy a break and if he doesn't taint himself again, then let by gones be by gones. We all make mistakes. If there are rules that you can't test positive for any drugs, then you have to follow the rules.

By Jennifer. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:47 ??.

this is the trouble with the right wing society and cell phone cameras. you'd think we lived in Fascist Germany where when you stepped out of line your neighbor (friend) would snap a photo of you and you'd have hell to pay. I'm glad I didn't grow up in this era. it's creepy and who the hell cares if someone takes a bong hit.

By steve davis. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:46 ??.

he is going to trade in his tony the tiger endorsement for a cover shot on "high times" magazine. but...that edorsement won't be as high paying. Phelps is going to pay a very very big price for this lapse of judgement. he has fallen as a role model. too bad.

By David. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:46 ??.

We find marijuana in a 2,700 year old grave. Goes to show it's been cultivated and enjoyed for a very long time. It should be legalized. Consider the reduction in crime and the soaring tax revenue. Could get the US out of debt.

Leave Phelps alone. Wanna be outraged? Turn your eyes to the theives on Wall Street. These creeps may have destroyed America as we know it.

By Mrs W. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:53 ??.

To "Donna" who posted this:
Why can't these young people just be happy with a few drinks, or a couple of beers, they have to learn the hard way!

Alcohol kills millions of people every year. It is acutely toxic and people die from alcohol poisoning all the time. It also suppresses the central nervous system enough to cut off vital reflexes responsible for important things like breathing. People who drink alcohol can end up so passed out and braindead that they can choke on their own vomit and asphyxiate. Alcohol kills brain cells and causes liver damage.

Marijuana has never killed anyone, ever, in its ten thousand year history of use. It does not kill brain cells and does not significantly affect health in any way.

Alcohol is an incredibly harmful and addictive drug that kills people and ruins lives. Marijuana is completely harmless by comparison.

By Ryan. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:49 ??.

Just goes to show that you can smoke pot and lead a healthy, happy, awesome life. Next time you shun someone for smoking pot remember, they could be the next gold winner. Keep winning gold and rippin' purps Mike.

By Smitty. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:49 ??.

"marijuana overdoses are nearly impossible

By Tracy Lynn. Posted January 31 2009 at 11:41 PM"

No, they're completely impossible to physically achieve, unless you're using hash.

By sigh. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:49 ??.

"So what?" You ask. His reputation my not mean crap to the average tanked frat who lives and thinks by cannibus, but rules are rules, aren't they? Do the rules apply after the contest? They shouldn't. But man, if they do, and they mean no drugs period, he messed up bad - and I don't believe for a second he doesn't know the rules. In a world where rules matter less and less depending on what end of the PC toilet we're drowning in, maybe he'll get a pass. What a dope describes him perfectly. Even if he survives it.

By blazerdoodle. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:55 ??.

yay! as a student i say good for him! you've won a crazy amount of medals and in your downtime you want to take a hit, what's the big deal? who is he harming? and all you people out there saying he's a bad influence for kids need to unplug the TV and actually teach your own children about right v. wrong, and stop expecting celebs to serve as role models and parent your offspring!

By thc. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:55 ??.

Oh no ! Michael Phelps smoked weed ! The world is coming to an end !

By Anthony. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:55 ??.

If true, let us hope he loses all his endorsements. Lots of money disappearing would be the best punishment he could have. O J Simpson lost all his endorsement deals even though he was declared innocent of murder and his life, quite properly, went straight downhill after that.

By Hal. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:55 ??.

Michael Phelps is my hero. Pot or not, it doesn't matter to me.

14 Gold medals for U.S.A. and STILL darn proud of it!!!

By Joshua. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:54 ??.

I'd be more worried about that cheezy watch he's wearing.

By DR D. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:54 ??.

Hear that flushing sound, Mike? That's your career going down the crapper. You big dummy!

By Brenda. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:10 ??.

nothing wrong with that, keep rippin'

By James. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:10 ??.

Who cares? Alcohol is more harmful than marijuana, and no one would be flipping out if the photo was of him doing a shot.

By r.h.. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:09 ??.

Give the kid a break. He wasn't taking performance inhancing drugs. He is still the best swimmer in the world, banning him from the 2012 olympics will require an asterix next to every gold medal.

By bill jones. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:09 ??.

Hey the guy is human. What do you think goes on at college partys?

By BIGBOB. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:09 ??.

My previous comment about being an idiot was in relation to his boorish behavior. Of course pot should be legalized. I haven't heard of anyone killing anyone while pot-driving in quite a while.

By Kati Calahan. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:08 ??.

How stupid and arrogant is he to smoke weed in public and around strangers. What a total moron. I don't care if he smokes weed but I'm sure his sponsors do.

His poor judgment will cost him plenty of $$$

By LizzyD. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:08 ??.

This guy is a joke

By Mike Ryan. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:08 ??.

For swimming, I would think that weed is the opposite of a performance-enhancing drug. Maybe for video games it's a performance-enhancing drug.

By JS. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:12 ??.

You mean there is something wrong or dangerous with smoking a plant????

By Chris. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:12 ??.

Anyone can get wasted with beer, but ohhh nooo not marijuana! Just let him have his fun and stick a pipe in it.

By Dr. Seymore Butts. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:12 ??.

If it is not a a big deal, why was Michael trying to hide it. If he is a I party guy, what's with "my mom is my best friend and we spend all our time together and I can hardly wait to go home to her."

I wonder if he'll be drug tested based on this report? If he is, he's out for 4 years!!

By cindy. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:11 ??.

Maybe we should stop looking to athletes to send messages to our kids. Why not raise your own children and stop depending on celebrities to do it for you?!

By Bruce. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:11 ??.

Better the Ganja than Roids. Why it is still illegal is beyond me.

By AB. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:10 ??.

Who cares? When did we become such wussies that we can't bear to see an Olympic athlete have a bit of fun?

Besides, doesn't the CIA make tons of money off the sale of drugs?

By Stephen. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:10 ??.

Marijuana is a part of everyday culture in every state in the nation and most developed and undeveloped countires of the world. It is legal in many places, and is arguably less harmful than alcohol, which is legal around the world.

Its not 1969 anymore folks. The reactionary "omg no" response by the "responsible" folks is outdated and irrelevant since more than half of you smoke anyway. The idea that it will destroy Phelps' career is not based in reality. If he wants to swim in another 4 years he will, and he will still beat everyone.

By oc. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:10 ??.

He just lost my support, and so did his advertisers.

If it's ok for him, is it ok for all athletes in the Olympics? Who do you trust, and who do you not trust? How do you know that the winner wasn't taking an, as yet, unknown drug that allowed him to win?

For all of you who think it's cool and he's "just coolin' out", why do you think they call it dope?

By Evets. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:15 ??.

Being a swimmer myself and having trained and lived, during the 80s, with many Team USA swimmers, I ask, "Show me a swimmer that hasnt done drugs..then I will be suprised"

By Stinky. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:15 ??.

Who cares if he smoked a little pot? It isn't like he is mainlining heroin or anything. A little pot is far better than a few drinks...People need to understand weed isn't an addictive and destructive drug, you know, like alchohol is...

By Ocified American. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:14 ??.

This is just further proof that the SHEEP who believe the Guvmint {spelling intentional} line on Marijuana being "bad" are actually that....SHEEP. Go get Sheared!

By Realman. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:14 ??.

I think all drug cheats like this should give back their undeserved medals.
Who else in the southern canadian team is also taking illegal substances to enhance their performance?

By tommy. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:14 ??.

The problem is, I can't find it in my heart to cheer for an immoral jerk. And by the sounds of this article, that is what he appears to be.

By Eric. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:14 ??.

Marijuana is no big deal. It is a pleasing alternative to liquor. Leave Michael alone. His performance at the Olympics was outstanding, and he deserves to have some fun on his vacation just like everybody else.

By Dick. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:13 ??.

You can't fix stupid....

By Anita. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:16 ??.

He just picked up the Cheetos and Twinkies endorsements.

By Chester Cheeto. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:16 ??.

Alcohol and tobacco kill more people around the world every year then any illegal drug. He didn't ask to be a role model, people around the world made him one. Smoking marijuana never hurt anyone, and I am sure it wont interfere with his training or life. Some people need to get over the idea that marijuana is an illegal drug. You are better off smoking a few bong hits then drinking a few shots.

By Phil Free. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:16 ??.

What a disgrace! Smoking the devils weed! I need a drink!

By Jim Old Guy. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:16 ??.

Oh my God! This is surely one of the signs of the 2012 Apocalypse prophesized by the ancient Mayans.

By M.J.. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:15 ??.

ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOR

By RooR. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:15 ??.

Michael makes millions of dollars now! he should have had a handler, but it's too late now. His career is over! If only he smoked in private! Now millions are down the drain! All over stupidity! Where was his trainer, or manager, or bookkeeper, or anyone!

By Pete. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:15 ??.

What a dumbass! Just as stupid who the people who think this is okay. The number of endorsement contracts and future income he just blew because of his inability to use good judgement regarding when it is wise to party proves that great physical skills and training focus don't always equal great judgement when away from his sport. Notice I didn't say he was wrong for hitting the bong, just for not being smart enough to do it in private if that is what he really wants to do. Not many companies will touch him now.

By JD. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:39 ??.

As Dr.Michael Savage says: "That's why they call it d-o-p-e !" :)

By Bernie. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:31 ??.

This is more proof you can smoke pot and do a great job too. Legalize it, don't vilify it.

By Mikej. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:31 ??.

Legalize it!

Marijuana is not a lethal drug and is safer than alcohol. It is established scientific fact that marijuana is not toxic to humans; marijuana overdoses are nearly impossible, and marijuana is not nearly as addictive as alcohol or tobacco. It is unfair and unjust to treat marijuana users more harshly under the law than the users of alcohol or tobacco.

By Tracy Lynn. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:41 ??.

What a bunch of losers all you people are. Saying "way to go" to a kid who is doing something illegal and bad for your health.

You sound like a bunch of stoner teenagers.

By les. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:40 ??.

At least he wasn't wearing all his gold medals.

By Joe. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:33 ??.

nice....i like him better now.....

By richard. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:33 ??.

Even the good guys smoke a little. Legalize it.

By Tom Lindenthal. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:32 ??.

Who is this guy and why all the fuss? Is he famous?

By Pete Wilson. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:32 ??.

I feel sorry for him and his mother. His halo is tarnished.

By Shirley Montgomery. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:32 ??.

Hypocrisy at its finest. Had he gone to a bar and gotten drunk, no one would have thought bad of it.

Those who find this so "reprehensible," all of you, look at your own behavior first. You are no darling angel.

By Eric. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:32 ??.

YEa man Legalize It

By Michael Phelps. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:32 ??.

are you all surprised. The guy was partying out of control a few months ago in Vegas.Cut him some slack. remember your college days? The guys just a kid and doesn;t know how to handle fame.

By Dan B. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:31 ??.

So you can be very successful in life AND smoke marijuana on occasion. That's no surprise to most worldly people. It's his body and his life.

By Erik. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:31 ??.

And they say pot makes you lazy!?

The comments on here sound like a bad political debate and I think it's hilarious how some people are always quick to judge what another person is doing even when it has no effect on their life or anyone else's life what so ever.

By Perfectly Dishevelled. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:35 ??.

Who cares. There's more to like than swimming. Have fun when you can. You'll never know when you'll be dead.

Smoking pot with friends doesn't hurt others. Enjoy.

By S. M. Butts. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:35 ??.

so much for pot making you a loser!! bottom line is, he was cought doing something other than a proformance inhancer so who gives a crap!! puff puff give phelps!!

By yani clark. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:33 ??.

good for him

wake up america. your heroes smoke pot.

end this ridiculous prohibition

less dangerous than alcohol'd

By j. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:33 ??.

I think that he earned the right to relax a little, I mean a good amount of people smoke weed. It's no big deal, and shouldn't be taken way out of proportion simply because Phelps is famous. He most definitely should NOT be banned for this.

By Josh. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:38 ??.

The sport of golf officially says this canbis can enhance golf. When will this end?

By zeppa. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:36 ??.

Like it or not, the guy's a role model to thousands of kids. And he's a multi-millionaire. And the price he and all other star athletes pay for their money and fame is that they're forced to lead more responsible public lives than the rest of us. (Still, just this once, give the guy a break. He's earned that much.)

By Eric . Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:36 ??.

SAD, VERY SAD, SO MANY KIDS LOOKED UP TO THIS WONDERFUL ATHLETE...SO SAD HE THREW THAT ALL AWAY BY USING D R U G S.
SHAME ON YOU MICHAEL PHELPS, YOUR A LOSER IN MY SONS EYES NOW, HE IS SO DISGUSTED BY THIS AND WITH YOU.

By BRANDY. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:35 ??.

I love the 'who cares?' people. If drugs are 'no big dea,' then why did this dope just risk, and likely lose it all for that high?

By Lance Morrison. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:19 ??.

yeah dudeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

By RooR-Bro. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:18 ??.

Right on Mike! I'm going to buy more products he advertises for because of this!

By Avg guy. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:18 ??.

I think that it sends a clear message just how stupid marijuana laws are.

Let him live his own life the way he wants.

By Derek. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:18 ??.

Legalize it

By john jay. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:20 ??.

Anyone who is ripping on Michael Phelps as dishonest or shameful, you are ignorant and possibly delusional. Marijuana is a drug scientifically proven safer and less harmful significantly compared to alcohol and cigarettes. Would you rip on Babe Ruth for having a beer? Or would you discredit Michael Jordan for taking a few shots? Probably not. Grow up and out of your boxes please!

By Anonymous. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:19 ??.

Time to legalize............... it's so silly ---- there's pictures of presidents drinking and smoking which is far more deadly.

By Nick. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:25 ??.

not so shocked.
be your kids' role model. We only know these people through their crafted images.

By mark. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:24 ??.

you can tell by the way he acts in public that the kid is full of himself. He has been a terrible rollmodel from point ONE. When he first came back to the US after winning the medals they asked him what he wanted to endorse and his answer was....FAST FOOD. This child needs a spanking

By dave. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:23 ??.

weed is only illegal because the government makes too much money imprisoning offenders and dealers. it is also illegal for the fact that anyone can grow it and they would not be able to tax it. fire it up michael!

By matt. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:22 ??.

Well, this is great. Are there ANY public figures left who have not taken drugs?

By Capecod Gabby. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:28 ??.

Are you kidding? Someone should buy him some pot. Really, he is a young guy who is a sensation. Leave him alone. Let him party. He deserves it.

By Doug. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:28 ??.

So what if he smokes, alot of Americans do, there's nothing wrong with that. It's virtually harmless, anyway.

By Jason. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:28 ??.

This happened in Nov and we're just hearing about it now? In the age we live in today that would have been posted somewhere by somebody's camera phone or digital camera and posted on youtube or some other site right away.

By aj. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:27 ??.

HA! HA! what a legend, fair play to him.

By Derek. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:27 ??.

To those of you who use illegal drugs, and see no problem in doing so, your ignorance is pathetically sad.

It is a matter of CHARACTER.

Yes, I know that you don't care about character and don't see anything wrong with folks "doing what they want to do" and you offer the excuse that "it doesn't hurt anybody else."

Well, you are wrong! I am sorry that you are too young, too willful, or too self-centered, but character matters. Obeying the law matters. If you don't like the law, then CHANGE IT! But until it is changed, you must follow it like everyone else, or pay the price.

Rather than screaming "no fair" to the adults (the fact that you don't even realize that your attitude is childish really proves the point), a wiser course would be to try to understand WHY he would be so self-destructive that he is willing to destroy his life for a few minutes of MINDLESS nothingness.

By scarpelli. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:26 ??.

Everyone should leave him alone. He wasn't using drugs to enhance his performance and with everything going on in the world he should be allowed to have fun and be a kid once in a while. I'm sure the people that have commented that he is a disgrace have nothing in their own lives to hide.
LEAVE HIM BE.

By JEFF. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:25 ??.

I don't blame him... It should b legal neways. Keep puff puff passin:)

By Ganja. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:30 ??.

What a waste! Mr. Phelps has unfortunately suffered from his celebrity status. Clearly, his fame is simply too much for him!

By Michael. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:30 ??.

Pot will have zero impact on his athletic abilities at this point. Give him a break after the amount of stress he's been under for so long the man deserves a toke. Legalize it!

By Paul McD. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:30 ??.

How many of you who are "shocked" did this yourselves when you were young?

By Fred. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:30 ??.

This guy is a disgrace to our youth who look up to today's olympians as our "heroes". Sad sad day... his career is "toast"!

By Phil. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:29 ??.

I think its amazing that he can smoke and still completely take over almost every event in the Olympic games.

that just makes him that much better than anyone else out there.

and the fact that he is smoking cannabis, so what? Just because he smokes should not 'tarnish' his reputation. There is nothing wrong with smoking every now and then, just like there is nothing wrong with drinking every now and then.

QUIT FREAKING OUT PEOPLE.

By matt. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:29 ??.

How very, very sad!

By Senior Ninja. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:50 ??.

Wow, a college age kid smoking pot? What a stunning surprise. I don't want to make excuses for him but when you basically have no life for a couple of years with complete dedication to swimming, I will cut him a break that he went a bit overboard after he earned his "freedom". I don't think he should be permanently tainted over this. He seems like a good kid who just got a little crazy and caught up too much in his celebrity status. If he comes out and apologizes and stays away from temptation in the future, I will not hold this against him. This definitely does not take away from his historic performance in Beijing. I hope he will learn from his mistake.

By Bill, Orlando, FL . Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:53 ??.

Big deal! Who cares if he smoked pot. Pot is such a nothing drug. He's been training everyday since he was a fetus and he ended up with 14 gold medals in the Olympics. The guy deserves a bong rip.

By James. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:53 ??.

Uh, big deal. This just means that he's a pretty normal guy.

By Phred. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:52 ??.

Dude...I'm soooo wasted.

By the Dude. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:52 ??.

If this is true, I'm sorry to see a guy lose his future sports opportunities after all of his hard work and remarkable success.

By Solid Citizen. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:51 ??.

Pot is good for the lungs.

By Scott Wade. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:51 ??.

What an idiot. If it is him...give him the full ban so he missed the next Olympics.

By Michael. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:50 ??.

Well that sucks, now he knows he can't trust his "friends"

By Paul. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:50 ??.

at least he was smoking from a ROOR. lol.

this is awesome. he is a prime example of how marijuana is NOT HARMFUL! he shouldnt be banned because marijuana doesnt enhance your ability to swim, hell, it makes swimming much harder. trust me. i know.

By Sam. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:55 ??.

I'm sure he was just clearing his lungs (gills?) of that horrible chlorine he swallowed going for the gold.

By driteone. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:54 ??.

Give me a break. Who really cares? Michael Phelps is without a doubt the greatest swimmer of all time, and the fact that he tokes only adds to his appeal. If you want something to cry about - why not look at the society that considers a natural plant to be so dangerous that it is illegal to smoke, yet wouldn't mind if the same swimmer was drinking or smoking a cigarette.. That seems a lot more crazy to me than a young guy smoking pot.

By Evan. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:54 ??.

This is very sad. He needs to get into rehab immediately. He's throwing away his entire career.

By Jack Thompson, Miami. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:54 ??.

I guess if you smoke pot you too can aspire to become the President of the United States or an Olympic Gold Medalist. Shame that so many are too drunk to care. Cheers!

By Tigger Banks. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:54 ??.

How else did you expect him to consume 15,000 calories a day?

By bob. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:53 ??.

Pot isn't a performance enhancing drug.....

Unless you want to be happy, horny, and hungry.

And Phelps looks like he has those down without pot....give the kid a break. He has worked harder than most in his short life.

By Karma. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:53 ??.

interesting....

By Jason. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:57 ??.

The SOB has broken his mothers heart

By Carlene Allen. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:57 ??.

What an appropriate headline to this story, "What A Dope". This guy has to be the biggest dummy in the world.

By ted. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:57 ??.

This is awesome! I love it!

By John. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:56 ??.

fire it up!

By b. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:56 ??.

This story and the subject matter being discussed is no surprise in the least. Athletes, Politicians, Musical Artists.........most usual fall victim to their own fame and sad to sad THEIR OWN ACTIONS!!

Rare is the truly humble individual who chooses to walk the straight and narrow and set exemplary standards/behaviors for others to follow.

By Susan. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:56 ??.

Who cares if he smokes WEED.

Liquor should be illegal WAY before weed is. Liquor is responsible for spreading STD's, Violence against women, unwanted pregnancies, Killing of innocent women and children on the highways, and the rape of young women among a few.

When was the last time someone smoking weed did any of these things?????? Very Very Rarely.

Good ON ya Mike. Smoke it up and for those who don't smoke and think it is bad - well go drink your ether and abuse your family you freedom hating hypocrites.

Stoned is the way that we walk.

By Liquor and alcohol are the KILLERS. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:56 ??.

I knew Michael Phelps was a bonghead!

If it helped him win so many gold medals, it can help us cope with everyday life.

Way to go Michael!

By Jesus was a Bonghead. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:56 ??.

Whats the big deal about this? Amy Weinhouse and Kate Moss and others have been caught doing worse, and they are still in business. Face the facts, society has changed us into drug addicts because those in power, have been to busy using the money from the people, for the people, for themselves.

By Fabian Starr. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:01 ??.

After reading this article I think he deserves another metal. Marijuana is not exactly a performance enhancing drug...

By allie. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:01 ??.

I say let him experience the consequences of his choices...and therefore show kids what dumb decisions can do to your dreams

By Lynn. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:00 ??.

who cares if he smoked weed. Weed isn't bad for you. Alcohol is worse. I wish the hypocrites of the world would just get over the issue of smoking weed...there's nothing wrong with it, and it's definitely not a performance enhancing drug like 'roids, so he should not be suspended from competition either. The world needs to get over itself when it comes to smoking marijuana.

By I.C.. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:59 ??.

I don't know why this would surprise anyone. I am a musician, was a theater major, and a diver in high school and college. I've probably seem more heavy partying by the athletes than the other two groups, though the drama queens probably come in a close second.

By Sonicfrog. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:59 ??.

OMG he smoked the pot! From what I know about marijuana, it does not enhance performance which is what the drug crackdown is all about.

By James. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:59 ??.

Apparently, smoking pot does NOT diminish one's lung capacity, as much of the propaganda says.

Also, nobody is bothered by the shots and beers he was downing ahead of time, but just by the pot!

You hypocrites are (ahem) all wet!

By Joe. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:59 ??.

Sadly, when this story hits "Entertanment Tonight" it will be all that people will remember about him! Why can't these young people just be happy with a few drinks, or a couple of beers, they have to learn the hard way!

By donna . Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:04 ??.

This is not a problem at all.

By Enigma. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:04 ??.

Honestly... so what?
The world is falling apart and we're worried about a damn bong?

By Dustin Cohen. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:03 ??.

So... Everyone smokes pot.

By Adam. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:03 ??.

And we have all been lead to believe that if a person excells in sports, rock n roll or acting they are smarter than the rest of us and need to bestow their opinions upon us. Could this mean Babs Striesand, Susan Sarandon, Madonna, The Dixie Chicks etc. are most likely as stupid as this got it made athlete smoking a restricted drug? YUP!!

By DanielTUSA. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:03 ??.

So if it's true, who cares?

It shouldn't be illegal anyway. He has the right to smoke up a natural substance as much as he wants.

By thepublic. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:03 ??.

you go boy!!!
leave the guy alone.

By jeff. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:03 ??.

Now we get to see the human side of a kid having fun.

By patricia. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:01 ??.

It's only pot for god sakes and not as though he's shooting junk into his veins. A lot of people in this country think of pot no differently than alcohol and most think alcohol and tobacco are much worse from a health perspective. I won't even go into the legal use of prescription drugs, to feel better (get high), that many Americans find themselves addicted to.

Michael is a great athlete... It"s a shame that in this day and age people are still so hellbent on keeping pot illegal.

By Mijade. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:07 ??.

not a really enough evidence... it could be shisha or any other sort of flavored tobacco... An admission of guilt would be stupid at this point. I guess other photos could make more of a case that weed is present some where else... But seriously this guys an animal and not letting him compete would just be stupid. Other athletes around the world want a shot at him. He might be naive but hes not taking performance enhancing drugs...

By Bill. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:07 ??.

So what? Just goes to show that smoke a little pot does not mean you can't contribute.
Also, I don't see any smoke in that bong, prove he inhaled. ;-)

By Will. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:06 ??.

Legalize me and stimulate your mind as well as your faltering economies!

By Mary Jane. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:06 ??.

Here's a real shocker; a lot of decent Americans smoke Weed!

I'm not a Phelps fan, but c'mon!

It would be one thing if he was caught with an underage girl, shoplifting, or if he killed someone.

Alcohol and cigarettes are way more harmful than pot, but their both perfectly legal. What's wrong with this picture?

Marijuana is a plant; so what if people choose to grow and smoke it! What ever happened to people having rights in this country?

Stop filling up our prisons and wasting taxes dollars on arresting pot smokers!

It's time to Legalize it, Regulate it, and Tax it!

Make it legal and the Ag industry will be able to start legally growing Hemp which makes; fabric, paper, building materials, a alt fuel source, as well as more $$$ and Green jobs for America.

By James. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:06 ??.

Come on, this isn't a big deal. Can't we live and let live for once.

By Dustin. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:05 ??.

Who cares. Make him serve the legal consequences, but don't take away his ability to compete in the Olympics.

By Drew. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:05 ??.

Idiots are unable to handle success.

By Kati Calahan. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:05 ??.

Let Phelps have some fun. He's not harming himself if he has a toke now and then, in fact he is preventing lung cancer and Alzheimer's according to the most recent unbiased clinical research. If he's smart, he'll stay with the weed and avoid the real toxin--booze.

By Clint. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 11:05 ??.

This is a shame. Sending the wrong message to our youth.

By bpower. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:37 ??.

Regardless of lack of poor judgment, what kind of person takes and presumably sells photos like this, knowing it will destroy someones career.

By Jim. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:37 ??.

Why is this stuff illegal??

By Greg D.. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:36 ??.

Who cares? Isn't 8 golds and the greatest Olympian of all time enough? I think he'll be just fine.

By mike. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:35 ??.

Good for him! Legalize.

By Joe Mamma. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:35 ??.

So...He's young and having fun...get over it!

By Wesley. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:34 ??.

What an utter disgrace!

By lizlizliz. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:33 ??.

So what!!!!

By Sharon. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:33 ??.

Way to go Phelps. Not too bright about keeping the puffing private, are you?

By Nice. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:42 ??.

I think this is going to backfire disastourously for now!It is a tube so what?
now can not prove anything, can they?Just because I hold a cigi in my hand does not mean I smoke,does it?
NOW,prepare yourself for a multimilloon pound lawsuit and-rightly-you are going to pay up!

By steven. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:41 ??.

oh well....

By renee davis. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:40 ??.

Ridiculous that that could destroy his career. He's been training non-stop for years and ended up succeeding at what he had worked so hard for. Give the guy a break! He's gotta let off some steam from that "grim regime." You Brits are SO overly judgmental.

By John. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:38 ??.

I'm not surprised. This guy carries himself like a complete douchebag.

By Stang. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:38 ??.

What if he was in Amsterdam?

By red12. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:38 ??.

Nothing wrong with a bong rip here and there, good for you Michael!

By Tommy Chong. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:44 ??.

Even though this is not considered a "Performance Enhancing Drug", he is still a moron for letting something like this get into the media- a true DOPE!

By Patrick George. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:44 ??.

it was nice knowing you Michael. Hope you saved enough money from your endorsements to live on the rest of your life. Hope the few minutes of a high was worth it - you're done.

By Kristie. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:44 ??.

Not the first time we Americans have disgraced ourselves....at least this will take the attention away from Amy Winehouse & Prince "Paki" Harry for a while.

By ejj. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:44 ??.

This is not a big deal. If anything it's further proof that marijuana prohibition is silly.

By Matt. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:42 ??.

Oh, come on. "Destroy the career?" Give me a break. If he can swim as well as he does even after smoking a little pot, it just shows how amazing an athlete he is!

By Jason. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:42 ??.

Really? He needs to be banned because he smoked weed once? I am sure it helped him win those golds. Did the UK even place? Wanting to get back at the champ a little? Pathetic libel of someone who did something very impressive.

By Chris. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:45 ??.

At least it wasn't a cigarette. Get a life you locusts.

By Chad. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:45 ??.

This is so stupid, there is nothing wrong with smoking marijuana. I would say if an honest survey was taken the number of athletes who smoke would be astounding to most. Marijuana is unjustly discriminated against when in fact it has no reason to be illegal. Alcohol is clearly a more harmful drug for both addictive and impairment reasons. He should not be judged so harshly for this because it is a normal thing to do in this day and age. Everybody smokes pot, just legalize it already.

By chris. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:45 ??.

Oh my God! He actually smoked weed --- and from a bong! Gee, it's the end of the world. When will the powers that be realize that marijuana is much LESS harmful than alcohol. Oh boy, this is just simply terrible. What can we do???
Sarcasm off.

By J.R.. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:45 ??.

Who cares...let the guy relax!!!

By Ben. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:44 ??.

Who cares? Let the guy party. He deserves it.

By D. F.. Posted 1? 31 2009 at 10:44 ??.