Don't Be Sorry, Michael (Updated)

I'm glad to see I'm not alone in thinking Michael Phelps is taking some undue flak regarding the explosive issue of his bong hit at a college party. The ridiculous hypocrisy and stigma in this country regarding cannabis never ceases to amaze me. By the way, Michael's officially joined a fairly prestigious club of confessed pot smokers. And those are just the ones who have fessed up!

Another thing: Perhaps you've been hearing a lot about the skyrocketing drug violence in Mexico and the border states? It seems to me large part of that violence would, gradually if not immediately, drop off simply as a result of reformed federal drug policy; the entire black market, from the drug lords and their armies of growers and producers to the college freshman dealing from out of his dorm room could be eliminated if the United States government resolved to treat marijuana reasonably.

Cigarettes, which represent a far greater toll on society than marijuana use, in my estimation, are virtually pushed onto children. It makes me think the only salient difference is the people receiving the profit. In any case, I'm encouraged to see the cause gaining momentum each week as people wake up to the potential for economic and social gain.

Update: Check out this awesome exclusive with a California dispensary owner on Huff Post. Couldn't agree with the guy more...