Michael Phelps

It was just a few short months ago that Michael Phelps was being hailed as a hero and role model. He was the All-American boy, the Olympic champion, the sort of young man that made Americans proud. Today, Monday morning, February 9, 2009, he is still all of those things.

Everyone knows that Michael Phelps was photographed smoking marijuana from a bong at a college party. For that, he has been suspended from competitive swimming and vilified across the nation. The local sheriff is looking at prosecuting him criminally. He has lost endorsements and has been knocked off the pantheon. All because he wanted to get high at a college party, like so many other young Americans.

I'm glad this has happened to Michael Phelps, not because I wish him any ill will, but because it is time to stop this ridiculous madness. Yes, I'm talking about the most stupid, costly, and morally reprehensible social policy since alcohol prohibition, the prohibition against marijuana. I'm not talking about hard drugs, or even other drugs, I'm talking strictly about marijuana.

How much money is spent by our government every year to fight the ridiculous and futile war against marijuana use and consumption? How many billions of dollars? Ever thought about what that money could be used for in this debilitating economy if our government would only get reasonable and legalize marijuana?

Think about it, not only would the government save billions of dollars wasted by fighting this stupid war, but if marijuana was legalized, and heavily taxed, it would bring another significant source of revenue to our failing economy. It would put many criminals out of business, it would free up jail and prison space currently being occupied by non-violent marijuana offenders. It makes so much sense that it sickens me that our government refuses to consider it.

Is this what the majority of Americans want? Well, how many states have voted in favor of medical marijuana use in the last few years? Ever thought about how many Americans would vote in favor of legalizing recreational use of marijuana? Ever wonder how many otherwise law-abiding citizens of this country break the law by smoking marijuana in the privacy of their own homes? Can someone give me a rational explanation of why there should be a law against a tax-paying, otherwise law-abiding citizen, coming home from work after a long hard day, and enjoying a blunt in the privacy of his own home? When did we authorize the government of our nation to decide what we can do in the privacy of our own homes? Where is that in the Constitution?

Sure, I've heard all the arguments against pot legalization: it's a gateway drug, it would lead to legalization of other drugs, people would toke up and drive, etc. Look, I'm not advocating getting high and driving, if you're driving under the influence from alcohol or drugs, you're a danger to anyone and everyone. You deserve to be arrested and suffer the consequences. No, I'm talking about people being allowed to get high in the comfort and safety of their own homes.

I don't believe marijuana is a gateway drug, any more than alcohol is a gateway drug. It's true that hard drug users often start off using pot and alcohol, but no one is advocating making alcohol illegal for that reason, so why should pot be different? Millions of people drink alcohol or smoke dope, and never try anything else. The gateway drug argument is a myth, nothing more.

As far as legalization of other drugs, that's a different issue for a different day. There are plenty of cogent reasons why drugs such as meth and crack are illegal. One only has to view the devestation caused by these drugs to understand the justification of their being illegal. There is none of that with marijuana. It's apples and oranges.

Finally, there is the seperate issue of medical marijuana. It's been proven medically that marijuana is the most effective drug in dealing with the effects of glaucoma, and has medicinal value in dealing with the side effects of cancer radiation therapy, not to mention muscle spasticity. The medical community supports legalization for medicinal purposes. The people of my state, Arizona, have voted several times in favor of medical legalization, yet our "wise" elected leaders have basically told us that they know better than we do, and will not implement it. Who the hell died and made them God? There is nothing more condescending than the government treating us like we don't have any idea of what is good or bad for us; treating us like stupid children, in other words. I always thought this nation was better than that.

I hope the major consequence of Michael Phelps' experience is that legalization once again becomes a nation-wide discussion and leads to government action. It is time, and it's what the American people want, maybe not every single American, but the vast majority. With the economy falling apart more and more every day, it only makes sense.