Phelps Toke Highlights Absurd Drug Laws

We elected a president who once smoked, so what's the big deal?

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 4, 2009 1:00 PM CST

(Newser) – Poor Michael Phelps, who will have to be punished for something nearly half the country has also done, writes Kathleen Parker in the Washington Post. And poor Sheriff Leon
Lott, who "probably doesn't want to press charges because it's a waste of time and... Read full story »

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Miami Face-Eater Identified

'Serpent Pastor' Dies of Snake Bite

Washington Post (Source Grid »)

Would people write this off if Phelps were black?
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

At least he apologized
Press-Telegram (Long Beach)

Don't fritter away your goodwill, Mike
Baltimore Sun

War on Drugs • drugs • Michael Phelps • South Carolina • marijuana • sheriff • Leon Lott • Bill Maher Grid

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Phelps Won't Be Charged

SC sheriff probed swimmer's marijuana use but found no evidence, he says

(NEWSER) - South Carolina officials won't charge Michael Phelps for smoking that bong after all, The State reports. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said today he'd investigated Phelps' marijuana use at a November party, but came up short on evidence—even though Phelps had admitted to doing it. Legal analysts said Phelps would walk because he wasn't caught in the act and no witnesses had emerged. More»

SC Cops Make Arrests in Phelps Case

Man who used to live in pot party house hit with possession

(AP) - Police in the county where Michael Phelps was photographed smoking a bong have been arresting people as they seek to make a case against the swimmer, a South Carolina defense lawyer says. The attorney said he has a client who was questioned about the now-infamous party Phelps attended near the University of South Carolina in November—and charged with possession of marijuana. More»

Bong Owner Tried to Get $100K on eBay

Eight partygoers have been arrested; Phelps not among them

(NEWSER) - The bong case grows. Eight people in Columbia, SC, have been arrested on drug charges stemming from the infamous frat party that Michael Phelps attended, WIS-TV reports. Those eight do not include Phelps himself, but they do include the bong's owner, who reportedly tried to sell it on eBay for $100,000. The piece of memorabilia is now in police custody. More»

Obama Pot Policy a Victory for States' Rights

Administration takes long-overdue steps to end Bush-era excesses

(NEWSER) - The Obama administration’s decision to respect state laws on medical marijuana is good policy—and not just because it demonstrates compassion toward cancer and AIDS patients, writes Glenn Greenwald. Despite his critics’ charges of “socialism” and “fascism,” President Obama is showing that his administration, unlike the Bush White House, is willing to stick its neck out for states’ rights. More»

Drug Cartels' Latest Ploy: Ultralight Planes

Ultralight aircraft are the Mexican cartels' newest tactic

(NEWSER) - Mexican pot smugglers have come up with a new tool in their never-ending quest to outsmart US border patrols: ultralight aircraft, USA Today reports. An ultralight is a small plane resembling a scooter with a hang glider attached, and authorities have found several crashed or in mid-flight over the border with more than 100 lbs of marijuana attached. More»

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Phelps Toke Highlights Absurd Drug Laws

We elected a president who once smoked, so what's the big deal?

War on Drugs • drugs • Michael Phelps • South Carolina • marijuana • sheriff • Leon Lott • Bill Maher Grid

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Phelps Won't Be Charged

SC sheriff probed swimmer's marijuana use but found no evidence, he says

SC Cops Make Arrests in Phelps Case

Man who used to live in pot party house hit with possession

Bong Owner Tried to Get $100K on eBay

Eight partygoers have been arrested; Phelps not among them

Obama Pot Policy a Victory for States' Rights

Administration takes long-overdue steps to end Bush-era excesses

Drug Cartels' Latest Ploy: Ultralight Planes

Ultralight aircraft are the Mexican cartels' newest tactic

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