Michael Phelps Marijuana Scandal and Demonization of Steroids

The British celebrity tabloid “News of the World” published a photograph of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps hitting a bong accompanied by an article suggesting he was an experienced cannabis user. Recreational marijuana use is a banned “in-competition” substance unlike anabolic steroids. Cannabis use is permitted by the IOC and WADA Anti-Doping Code outside of competition in spite of its illegal status in the United States. Michael Phelps quickly issued a public statement apologizing for his behavior which many accepted as an admission of his cannabis use (”Phelps Apologizes for Marijuana Pipe Photo,” February 1).

“I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I’m 23 years old and despite the successes I’ve had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.”

Fortunately, the general public rejected the tabloid’s attempt to sensationalize Phelps’ pot use as an unforgiveable moral failure. The changing public attitudes towards marijuana use have enabled public figures to dismiss incidents of recreational illicit drug use as “youthful indiscretions.” The acceptance of marijuana use by Michael Phelps regrettably comes at the expense of anabolic steroids.

The main difference between anabolic steroids and marijuana with respect to athletes involves the drug’s effects on athletic performance. Steroids help performance; pot hurts performance. Ironically, a substance that allow an athlete to work harder and perform better is EVIL; a substance that diminishes an athlete’s ability to work hard and perform is GOOD. The goal-directed motivations of steroid users are BAD.Aside from that main difference, anti-drug warriors who demonize steroids and pot use the same arguments: steroids and pot are both illegal, they are both dangerous, they are harmful to children; athletes who use steroids and/or pot represent poor role models, etc.

Twitter activity provided a good reflection of the public’s relief that Phelps only used pot and not those evil steroids.

@lilizerquera: “Finding out Michael Phelps was on steroids would be just as sad as realizing there’s no Santa.”

@lizziekeiper: “I don’t understand why everyone is flipping out about Phelps and the pot. Doesn’t seem like THAT big a deal. Not like it’s Cocaine or worse!

@lizziekeiper: “And it’s not like we just learned he’s on steroids. THAT would be something to freak out about.”

@Greg4cr: “Apparently Phelps is in trouble because he was caught smoking weed. Steroids would be bad, but why the hell should anyone care about weed?”

@timvalentine: “I’m sure Michael Phelps will be forgiven and this will be overlooked. Since steroids is worse than marijuana.”

@ComplicatedMama: “If Phelps was doing Steroids… well then there is a story.”

@caferozella: “Put me down as not giving a rat’s a** about Michael Phelps smoking dope. It’s just recreaational drugs not steroids. cut him some slack”

@pareidoliac: “Or even if it was steroids… but pot? My God what a bunch of naive morally panicked fools.”

@sweetposerent: “Why the hell is that news? Unless he tests positive for steroids, I don’t care what he does to himself.”

@dianarwallach: “Michael Phelps got caught smoking pot. Am I the only one who thinks this is kinda funny? At least it wasn’t steroids”

@brujosol: “Don’t see the big deal with Michael Phelps. Not steroids and he fessed up to doing it. People expect more from him because he can swim well?”

@jimshreds: “isnt it better that hes smoking weed. at least its not steroids”

The collective relief that Phelps ONLY used marijuana and NOT anabolic steroids is a sad consequence of the steroid hysteria in the contemporary war on steroids. In spite of objective reviews of the scientific literature indicating that the side effects of anabolic steroids are minimal and certainly no worse than the side effects of cannabis use, steroids represent the true evil.

The general public accepts an individual’s choice to engage in recreational drugs such as pot but not steroids. Similarly, Michael Phelps’ $100 million sponsors – Speedo, Visa, Omega, PowerBar, AT&T, Subway, Kellogg’s, Mazda – are all willing to continue supporting Phelps. The story would have ended differently if Michael Phelps got caught using steroids. Certainly, the steroids would have most likely resulted in sanctions against Phelps. But it highlights the true reason why steroids are unacceptable in sports – they enhance performance. Forget about the side effects, harming children and role model arguments. Enhancing performance is the issue at the heart of the matter.