Eight arrested in connection with the Phelps bonging.

This sheriff has to be out of his mind. Not only is he wasting taxpayer money chasing this ridiculous excuse for news but he arrested eight people none of which were Michael Phelps.

All of this over a bong hit its unreal, its not like he was selling it. And this coming from someone who thinks SOMEONE should be selling it legally.

I hope it was all worth it to the person who sold the photo in the first place. All Phelps was guilty of was being stupid enough to take the hit in what amounts to a public place. I doubt he's a regular user though so in his defense I can understand him not having a close group of friends with which to enjoy some weed with in a more private setting.

He was at a party blowing off some steam cut the kid a break. Phelps was much better off hitting that bong than he would be drinking the beer in the background of the photo.

Millions of Americans smoke weed once in a while and unless you count the gold medals Michael Phelps is no different from them. I'm disappointed Phelps chose not to take a stand but I do understand why. There are a lot of pressures coming from all different angles for someone like him and it surely was in his best interest to handle it like he did. Its unfortunate a sponsor like Kellogg's drops him even after he toes the line but the really sad part of the story is that now other people are paying for his mistake. Seven were arrested for possession and one for distribution. Seven more people who are no different from the millions. At least stoners are showing with the boycott of Kellogg's they'll stand up for Phelps even if he won't stand up for us. I'm really going to miss Cheese-Its.

By TwistMasterDeluxe

clipped from www.cannabisculture.com The Michael Phelps bong photo fiasco continued today as Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott arrested eight people connected to the party where the photo was taken. full story 'Insane' Sheriff Makes Eight Arrests From Party That Produced Phelps Photo

Seattle police chief to become nation's drug czar

"Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske has accepted a job as the nation's drug czar in the Obama administration, according to a Washington, D.C. source familiar with the administration's plans."

By Steve Miletich and Mike Carter

Seattle Times staff reporters

read the full story

President Obama made it clear he opposed using federal government to raid medical marijuana shops yet raids continue. So far the DEA performed five raids in California according to a recent Washington Times article. Even though, as the article points out Obama made promises to end such raids. The DEA seems to have misplaced the memo. It's starting to look like Obama wanted to get more of the key positions filled before issuing any directives or he may be trusting appointees to makes the changes themselves. Either way I hope it's done soon. Wasting taxpayer resources to seize medical marijuana when the taxpayers have enacted laws allowing it is crazy. Add in todays economy and its almost criminal. The Justice Dept and the DEA know how the President feels on this and more importantly they know how the citizens of these states feel, after all they did pass laws allowing medical cannabis. Why they continue these operations I will never understand.

If you think about it, laws created by the people themselves should always trump laws created by congress. Part of the reason Congress even exists is to insure that it's not a small handful of people creating laws. The more people you have in the process the less chance tyranny wins and bad laws get enacted. Less chance that what the majority of the population thinks is best gets tossed aside. Many more people were directly represented when they voted to make medical marijuana legal then were involved in making pot illegal. Congress should recognize this and defer to the voters. Opponents within the legislature will say they represent the "will of the voter" but all too often that's just not the case. Quite a few of the people I've talked with who have recently sent letters and emails to their "representative" have received mixed replies. Most seem to be getting supporting replies with one "I don't support this issue" response. 'I' does not sound like the will of the voter to me.

Polls show an overwhelming public support for medical marijuana. It's time our reps in Washington realize its not what they think its the people they were elected to represent who's opinion matters.

Some people are saying that Obama so far has not picked marijuana friendly people to fill key positions indicating nothing will change but others seem to think Obama will push one way or another to get these raids ended and they remain optimistic. I just hope that these appointments signal the beginning of the end for the "dark ages" of medical marijuana. Only time will tell.

By TwistMasterDeluxe