By Cole Wenzel
The Daily Cardinal
Until Wednesday, I was going to keep my mouth shut about the media's obsession with Michael Phelps hitting a bong. But, in the midst of my Digging, I found an article on CNN.com titled Police Looking to Charge Michael Phelps for Smoking Pot."" This has gone too far - much too far. Are the police really going to charge an Olympian for recreational marijuana smoking, something that allegedly happened all the way back in November?
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott claims, ""If someone breaks a law in Richland County, we have an obligation as law enforcement to investigate and to bring charges."" Must we pry further into this ""mistake"" that our beloved, smiling, gold-medal winning, American swimmer made at some college party? Let's not forget that some time back in 2004 Phelps had to suffer 18 months probation for a DUI charge. So, it is clear that Phelps is no stranger to the occasional substance abuse - as few of us are that attend college at prestigious Big Ten institutions (Phelps did at Michigan). The powers that be are blowing this out of proportion. It is completely absurd to be taking such drastic and hostile action as investigating such an act, a mostly harmless one at that, which took place three months ago.
What's more, the goofy dolphin-man has already issued his apology, citing the behavior as ""regrettable."" On the Fox News program ""Red Eye"" the other day, the commentators began discussion of this incident and came to the careful conclusion that Phelps even had a good ""bong stance,"" clearly indicating that he is no novice to the likes of the Schedule I substance.
Let us examine the situation logically. Michael Phelps willingly and knowingly smoked a bong, supposedly some time in November. Recently, a British tabloid got ahold of a photograph of Michael Phelps in the act. This would have to mean that someone at the party, perhaps an acquaintance of Phelps, snapped the photograph and, later, someone submitted the photo for print in the paper. Now published, the world has freaked out and cannot believe that swimming's poster boy would commit such a horrible act. Naturally, being an intelligent businessman and public relations person, Phelps has thoroughly apologized for his heinous act. This is where everything should have stopped - even university police and Columbia, South Carolina, police have decided not to pursue any charges. But the damn sheriff's department is simply too just of an institution to let this slide.
What really comes out of this whole debacle is the fact that the most winning Olympian in history not only drinks (as the DUI showed us), but also indulges in marijuana from time to time. If Phelps, the amazing role model and inspiration for Americans, can do the amazing things he does and still smoke some pot, perhaps we need to reconsider our stance on the issue of marijuana use.
Currently, marijuana sits on the top of the list of America's worst drugs. The DEA drug-scheduling system, which came about in the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, was an early part of Nixon's War on Drugs, which we still wage today. The system is composed of a five-part scheduling system, ranging from I through V, I being most severe. The definition of a Schedule I drug is as follows: a) The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse, b) The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, c) There is no provision for safe use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.
There are currently 13 states where medical marijuana is legal under state law. Clearly, marijuana does not meet the criteria of a Schedule I drug. Other drugs on this list include heroin and ecstasy (MDMA). What may be more alarming, though, is the fact that the Schedule II, a lesser classification, includes such drugs as cocaine and opium. Logically, marijuana should not hold such stern unlawful status.
I think it is time for our nation to recognize the relevance of Michael Phelps' marijuana use. He is the embodiment of a great American. He possesses great willpower, determination and perhaps greatest of all, he has a hell of a work ethic. If such an individual chooses to recreationally use marijuana, maybe as an alternative to drinking alcohol, and can still reach the monumental pedestals that he does, then perhaps it is time we consider a more logical approach to this legal travesty.
Cole Wenzel is a sophomore majoring in business. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
