Michael Phelps

[smartestnumber5]

Just curious to how you come to the conclusion as to who is in the minority vs. the majority when it comes to people who smoke pot?

Me too. The actual studies I'm finding (from the U.S. Dept of Health National Drug Survey) seems to indicate people who have used marijuana are indeed the majority:

http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2k5NSDUH/2k5results.htm#Ch2

At the very bottom of this document there's a discussion of survey data from 2002-2005 from two different sources of high schoolers and young adults and illegal drug use. These surveys both indicate that of the 18-25 year old age bracket, between 52-56% had used marijuana at least once in their lifetime.

Of course, most people who are going to try marijuana do so in their teen or young adult years, but there are at least some people who don't begin using it until later in life. So I think we can safely assume that the majority of adults in American have smoked pot at least once.


I just saw the announcement of Phelp's apology. I suppose he did it because he didn't want to lose millions of dollars worth of endorsements and such. Personally I think it'd be poetic justice if he very publicly donates some of those millions to NORML! One can only hope!

 

[chisnpeke]

I guess those who partake in drug use tend to associate with others who do, as well. That's why they can only count on one hand those who have not used drugs.

That's true. I have never done drugs and my friends haven't either.

 

[imabrat]

That's true. I have never done drugs and my friends haven't either.

Eh, maybe not. It's probably my age, but a bunch of my friends have done drugs and I haven't. They known I'm strongly opposed to drugs for me, but I'm fine with anyone smoking it. They know not to pressure me into it, and they don't try.

Anyway, I feel a tad disappointed with Michael Phelps. I agree that sports star are idolized when they shouldn't be. On the bright side, it shows everyone that he is only human and that he makes mistakes just like the rest of us. I think mainly the reason I'm a tad disappointed is because there are other ways to have fun without drugs. But whatever. He didn't hurt anyone (that we know of) because he was under the influence. Live and let live.

 

[yeartolate]

That's true. I have never done drugs and my friends haven't either.

That you know of.

 

[castleview]

That you know of.

Sometimes I just don't want to know. I know most of my friends to have done/tried pot, but one friend (I just found out) still likes his pot once in a while. It really turned me off knowing this because she has small kids and she's in the medical field - that's just so risky to me. I'm trying so hard but I'm having trouble looking at her the same...which is so NOT like me. What do you think?

 

[perla75]

Sometimes I just don't want to know. I know most of my friends to have done/tried pot, but one friend (I just found out) still likes his pot once in a while. It really turned me off knowing this because she has small kids and she's in the medical field - that's just so risky to me. I'm trying so hard but I'm having trouble looking at her the same...which is so NOT like me. What do you think?

I think if you knew her as a competent mom and physician (or whichever her career is) before you knew that she smokes pot once in a while, your opinion of her should not change unless her actions at home or work have changed. OR obviously unless she is telling you she is enjoying pot in front of her children or while she is at work.

Seriously, would you knock her if she told you she enjoys a few glasses of wine once in a while after work and/or not while she is caring for her children? Probably not, so really there is no difference when it comes to her level of competence or functioning.

 

[castleview]

I think if you knew her as a competent mom and physician (or whichever her career is) before you knew that she smokes pot once in a while, your opinion of her should not change unless her actions at home or work have changed. OR obviously unless she is telling you she is enjoying pot in front of her children or while she is at work.

Seriously, would you knock her if she told you she enjoys a few glasses of wine once in a while after work and/or not while she is caring for her children? Probably not, so really there is no difference when it comes to her level of competence or functioning.

I think the concern for me is her profession and that she could lose everything if she's seen doing it. Believe me, I think marijuana should be legalized. But right now it's not and she's putting herself in danger.

 

[MelanieC]

Really sad since so many kids look up to him.

 

[cjb71870]

Ahh, goes to show you anyone can make a wrong decision. He's only human too.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I bought a Venus Razor only because Blondie on here told me it was a great razor. I still buy them!

Well, Duh! I could have told you that. And the one with the shaving cream block thingy on it works nicely...like, if one is traveling to WDW and doesn't want to pack the shaving cream.

You at least kinda/sorta know Blondie...and she wasn't paid. Once someone is paid to say something, credence sorta flies out the window.

Some of the posts in this thread are disturbing to me. I get that some of you smoke marijuana, but I have news for you, you're the minority not the majority. I also get why you feel the need to make yourself and others believe you are the majority, but you're not.

Oh, puhleeze. My bet is that more than half of the country has smoked pot. Almost everyone tries it at some point in their life. And even if we were the minority, who in the hell cares? It just is not a big deal.

The fact that we have done it doesn't mean we're all potheads. It's been 19 years since I last smoked pot. I did it 3 or 4 times in my life.

It's illegal, but I admit it. Others on this thread admit. Presidents admit it.

If you're disturbed by the idea that many people have smoked pot, you've been leading a very, very sheltered life.

 

[rie'smom]

Well, Duh! I could have told you that. And the one with the shaving cream block thingy on it works nicely...like, if one is traveling to WDW and doesn't want to pack the shaving cream.

You at least kinda/sorta know Blondie...and she wasn't paid. Once someone is paid to say something, credence sorta flies out the window.

Oh, puhleeze. My bet is that more than half of the country has smoked pot. Almost everyone tries it at some point in their life. And even if we were the minority, who in the hell cares? It just is not a big deal.

The fact that we have done it doesn't mean we're all potheads. It's been 19 years since I last smoked pot. I did it 3 or 4 times in my life.

It's illegal, but I admit it. Others on this thread admit. Presidents admit it.

If you're disturbed by the idea that many people have smoked pot, you've been leading a very, very sheltered life.

peace, love and rock n roll

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

Has he reached 3 strikes yet???

I think this might be his 3rd strike, but I'm not sure.

 

[vettechick99]

I'll tell you what. If you can smoke pot, and win 10 Olympics medals, then you deserve all the accolades you can get.

you got that right!!

 

[Nik's Mom]

OK, I have to comment on this statement. I do not smoke pot now. I will freely admit, though, that I did smoke in college- a grand total of 2 times. Didn't like the way it made me feel, so never did it again. I did not then, nor do I now, hang out with stoners, potheads, or other regular partakers of any illegal substances (that I know of- LOTS of people do LOTS of stuff in the privacy of their own homes that they don't admit to anyone else).

Of the people my age (early 40's) and younger I've discussed it with, very, very few have NOT at least tried pot once. I don't think a majority actively smoke now, but I'm almost certain the majority have tried it once or more (at least of my and later generations).

I think your story is the majority here. A lot of people have tried to smoke pot at least once. But that does not mean that they continue to now. And it certainly does not mean that they hang out with drug adicts. I think some people are just very naive about this subject.

 

[mkingdomlvr]

Really sad since so many kids look up to him.

Ahh, goes to show you anyone can make a wrong decision. He's only human too.

I think both of these statements are important. Yes, a lot of kids look up to him, my nephew is one of them. However, the mistakes he has made are also important teaching moments for the families of those kids. Phelps has made this kind of mistake before, after the last Olympics. We were saying at our yesterday that we felt he is SO controlled and disciplined when he's training that he doesn't know how to handle freedom and goes completely nuts.

 

[joviroxx]

What I find sad isn't the pot so much, but the fact that this kid had his future made. How many swimmers can make millions? All he had to do was keep the bad out of the public eye. He might lose all his endorsements and for what?

Like him and others, its not the act, but the inability to be smart about what you have and how easily you can lose it.

 

[MegaDisney]

OMG I cannot believe how up in arms folks are about this. If Michael Phelps smoking pot is the biggest issue you need to explain to your kids right now, consider yourself lucky. Seriously.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

What I find sad isn't the pot so much, but the fact that this kid had his future made. How many swimmers can make millions? All he had to do was keep the bad out of the public eye. He might lose all his endorsements and for what?

Like him and others, its not the act, but the inability to be smart about what you have and how easily you can lose it.

Young and stupid. Plus the whole "dad thing". So not surprising.

Wait until he is in his 40's. He will beat himself up then.

 

[castleview]

I know he's young, but he is technically an adult. I wish the "just a kid" excuse would stop. It's not the pot smoking that's so bad, it's the lack of responsibility he's showing. He's paid millions of dollars for a squeaky clean image - he needs to live up to that if wants the millions.

 

[alldiz]

Even if it is true, I have to give it a big, fat Who Cares.

A young kid smokes pot - ooooh, what news. Color me shocked. Not.

I did it. Most of the people I know did it. Big whup.

I'll second that.....unfortunately in this "information" age you can't even "let loose" without someone taking your stupid picture....
Kerri