Really, isn't this a bit out of proportion?

Michael Phelps is guilty. Of being young and wanting to have fun with his friends. And of choosing the wrong friends. Friends that take your compromising picture and sell it. Shame. And shame on the Brit tabloid that printed it and started it all with that ridiculous headline.

I admit it. I was a 'head in my teens, preferred it alcohol. I would love to see legalization. I haven't done any in more than 20 years and I can't because of the industry I work in. But it doesn't mean I wouldn't like to again. Shoot, I could maybe get in trouble and lose my job just because of this post. I wonder if I have friends like Michael's?

I have not seen real evidence that this stuff is addicting or leads to harder stuff. I have seen people addicted to prescription drugs, pain meds and even OTC meds. And to alcohol and nicotine and caffeine. So recent news suggests increases in cancer in pot smoking men. Can we say cirrhosis? And lung cancer and emphysema? And mouth and tongue cancers? People will forever do things that feel good to them even if there are later consequences. That cannot be the real reason we haven't moved on this yet because we don't care about the other products that have these effects. What is the stigma? What is keeping us from legalization? Fear that we can't regulate and tax it properly?

Aren't there more important things to wail about than Michael Phelps? Move on to Chris Brown for heaven's sake. Violence is much worse and how often associated with alcohol? How many times do you see a mean drunk versus a mean pothead? Maybe if he'd been smoking weed, he would have just laughed off the argument and said, "Pass the Doritos."