Micheal Phelps Bong Bondogle

Ok, its been a while since I posted, but I figured it was overdue. I know this isn't timely, but I thought I'd comment on the overly publicized Micheal Phelps issue.

I know that being a marijuana legalization proponent I am not exactly unbiased on this issue, but what the heck is the big deal. So Micheal Phelps got a picture taken of him using a bong, who gives a shit. Marijuana is NOT a performance enhancing drug, the picture would not hold up in court, so why should it matter. Kellogg's has pulled out, ok since a lot of their advertising is aimed at kids I can see that, however I think its a drastic overreaction. That being said it seems that other then a brief suspension that is all that is happening.

Sure there has been some big talk from some cop who thinks he can charge him if he can figure out if the picture was taken in his jursdiction, but proving that will be nearly impossible unless the person who hosted the party comes forward. Even if this happens getting the charges to stick will be difficult, even with Phelps' public appology. You see just because he is holding a bong, just because he appears to be using it, there is no way to prove it was marijuana in it.

There's been some talk of taking back his medals as they did with Ross Rebagliati. I highly doubt they'll be able to do that, after all there is no evidence he was on any drugs while competing so I can't see how they can justify taking back his medals. I really hope the puritan critics don't succeed in this lame attempt. If people would just bother to educate themselves in the fact rather than the propeganda there is no reason to freak out over a hit off the bong, no more then if there was a picture of Phelps drinking a beer.

In Good Company – Ross Rebagliati

Well I can’t believe this blog has been running for over a year and I haven’t mentioned Ross Rebagliati. After all this is a Canadian blog about marijuana use, and this series in particular is about famous people known for using marijuana, if Ross Rebagliati doesn’t have a place here no one does. Sure Ross Rebagliati may not be a household name, he many not really be remembered outside Canada, maybe even not outside of Canadian Cannabis cluture.

So who is Ross Rebagliati for those who no longer remember the name? Ross Rebegliati was born in Vancouver British Columbia in 1971. He became a professional snowboarder of some note, and in 1991 he became the first ever Olympic gold medalist in snowboarding. His victory was short lived after the judges discovered trace amounts of THC in his system, the gold was taken from him. Rebagliati successfully challenged the decision and regained his gold and thus retains the title of the first ever gold medalist in snowboarding.

Ross Rebagliati managed to overturn the decision based on his claim that he attended a party a week or so before the Olympics where Marijuana was being used but did not use it himself. He maintains the traces in his bloodstream were purely second hand. This is theoretically possible due to the nature of THC, but second hand highs rarely leave enough THC in the bloodstream to be detected. I doubt his story, but to me it is irrelevant.

THC is a relaxant, not a stimulant, and it is not likely to help with sporting events to be high at the time, especially not with snowboarding where you need all your concentration. As such really there is no reason to disqualify a person for marijuana use.

Now Ross can be found on Kelowna Mountain running his Snowboarding training camp known as Rebagliati Alpine Snowboarding Training, or by its moniker RASTA, well mon ya can’t beat that now can ya.