The Canyon

Michael Phelps

So Michael Phelps, Olympic gold medalist eight times over, recently had his picture taken smoking marijuana from a bong. Not that it matters that it was from a bong as opposed to any other smoking device, just that it was undeniable what he was smoking based on the fact that he was smoking out of a bong. And on a college campus, the University of South Carolina to be exact. Yeah, it really didn’t look good for him, especially since he was one of 12 Olympic athletes who signed the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency “My Victory” initiative last year with the goal and intent of keeping competitive sports clean.

Proof of Marijuana Abuse is Not Yet In

There’s the picture, yes, but a sheriff’s office in South Carolina is looking into the allegations, making an actual criminal investigation into the matter. There is talk of criminal charges being filed against Phelps if it is in fact found to be true.

Sheriff Leon Lott said: “If someone breaks the law in Richland County, we have an obligation as law enforcement to investigate and to bring charges. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is making an effort to determine if Mr. Phelps broke the law. If he did, he will be charged in the same manner as anyone else. The sheriff has a responsibility to be fair, to enforce the law and to not turn a blind eye because someone is a celebrity.”

However, both the Columbia, South Carolina police and the university police say they won’t press charges.

What Phelps Says About the Marijuana Abuse

I’m not sure what exactly the investigation is about, since Phelps seems to admit that he was smoking weed. Why else would he apologize and call his behavior “regrettable”? Phelps says:

“I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I’m 23 years old, and despite the successes I have had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner that people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public — it will not happen again.”

The U.S. Olympic Committee also issued a statement that said, “Michael has acknowledged that he made a mistake and apologized for his actions. We are confident that, going forward, Michael will consistently set the kind of example we all expect from a great Olympic champion.”

Marijuana Abuse Versus Marijuana Addiction

The difference between the two issues can be very clearly shown by this example. Once or twice having used marijuana is not marijuana addiction. It is bad judgment, maybe, but it is not a medical issue that requires treatment. However, if one is using marijuana daily, multiples times a day, choosing to get high despite the pain it causes others who are close to them, the problems it causes at work or the threat to their own physical and mental health and safety as well as the safety of others, than that is marijuana addiction and it requires medical treatment.