Michael Phelps In Good Company

Packaged goods giant Kellogg announced today that it would not renew its sponsorship contract with Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps as consequence of his being photographed smoking marijuana. It's a strong statement by the company, particularly in historical context: According to an October 2002 Time/CNN poll, 47% of Americans have smoked marijuana. And users and advocates of the plant reportedly* have included the following, several of whom are admired by Kellogg's customers:

Louisa May Alcott
Jennifer Aniston
Bing Crosby
Laura Bush
The Beatles
Mayor Michael Bloomberg
William F. Buckley, Jr.
Johnny Carson
President Bill Clinton
Johnny Depp
Harrison Ford
Bill Gates
President Andrew Jackson
President Thomas Jefferson**
Steve Jobs
President John Kennedy
Stephen King
Ann Landers
President James Madison
Madonna
John Stuart Mill
President James Monroe
Mozart
Friedrich Nietzsche
Peggy Noonan
President Barack Obama
Sarah Palin
Governor George Pataki
Pablo Picasso
President Franklin Pierce
Brad Pitt
Oliver Sacks
Arnold Schwarzenegger
William Shakespeare
Barbra Streisand
George Soros
President Zachary Taylor
Queen Victoria
President George Washington
John Wayne

...and, according to an anonymous source, at least one other star athlete.

*sources/citations in hyperlinks; **As the links note, there is debate as to the precise nature of the early presidents' usage

Comments

[TJRich]

I think athletes and others like Phelps should be applauded for their talent and achievement and not held up as 'role models'. Being a role model is the 'Parents' job!

[TJRich]

I think the 47% number is low.

[JWeston]

Opps, wrong picture here is the Weedies Box:


http://www.jaysaul.com/web/images/WeediesBox_web.jpg

[JWeston]

IF Phelps just waits he may make more money
than anyone on the planet by being the face of
reason on Weedies! Check it out:

http://www.jaysaul.com/web/images/jobsrecessions.jpg

[anthonytaurus]

dont forget me.. Anthony Taurus lol

[Aramingo]

Um, what were we talking about?

[RationalDubSteppa]

It's a funny thing this article brings that list of individuals up, because a lot of the talented and brilliant individuals I know have used or use on a regular basis marijuana. I think the correlation is actually pretty simple; Smart individuals are less prone to be gullible(or religious for that matter) so they can actually evaluate and try things on their own and make very effective decision along those lines. One of those decisions is whether or not to consume marijuana, and for most people of above average intellect that is a no-brainer. Fact is cannabis can be an intricate part of the arts and science when used appropriately. I personally enjoy lighting up a couple joints with my engineers and sit around in a circle enjoying the ceremonial passing of the jazz cigarette(s) as we indulge in highly complicated conversations and debates over the innards of whatever project we are working on. These can go on for hours and for us it seems like just minutes as we ponder different ideas and scenarios debating which ones will work best for our immediate needs. I defy anyone to tell me how that sounds like an unproductive session.

[RationalDubSteppa]

They Left some pretty important people off that list notably...

Carl Sagan
Bill Maher

[javaz]

You left a few people off the list.

John Belushi
Chris Farley
Jimi Hendrix
Janis Joplin
Jim Morrison

[strangebee]

You are so informative and cute at the same time. How do you do it?

[TJRich]

It wasn't marijuana that offed them.

[UncleHomer]

Please folks can we stop talking about it now and actually advocate for legalization of one of the most beneficial plants on earth.

We can solve our energy needs with it and as I sit here now it takes three dangerous prescription drugs to do what marijuana could do alone.

Oh wait, I forgot. That's why its illegal.

[swellsoire]

Boycott Kellog! Bill Clinton, George Bush(43), and Barack Obama have all smoked marijuana. Bill didn't inhale, W. could not remember, but Barack wrote about it. So kids, if you smoke pot you might become President of the United States or an Olympic champion. Apparently, It's not a scourge on our youth. The fact that marijuana remains illegal is reefer madness.

[Slapmewhenitsover]

and me and every freakin' one of my friends plus thousands of other people I have met in my life.

For those of you who think alcohol is the way to go, you are KILLING yourselves!

[trunk65]

Trix are for us kids

[grailknight]

Cheerios, the best cereal ever!

[Karper Perry]

I like Michael Phelps even more now. He is experimenting with life. I love it. What frikin' Puritans we are. Good god, how ridiculous. Before too long, he'll be dealing with mortgages, and divorce and will find out how difficult life really is. Enjoy yourself Michael!