Bong Hits 4 Jesus Michael Phelps(And no criminal charges, either.)

This just in, from the AP:

A South Carolina sheriff said Monday he was not going to charge swimmer Michael Phelps after a photo of the 14-time gold medalist showed him smoking from a marijuana pipe.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said he couldn’t ignore the photo but defended his investigation. “Michael Phelps is truly an American hero … but even with his star status, he is still obligated to obey the laws of our state,” Lott said.

The photo showed Phelps smoking from a marijuana pipe at a party in November when he visited the University of South Carolina.

Earlier this month, through a spokesperson, Sheriff Lott sang a different tune:

“The bottom line is, if he broke the law, and he did it in Richland County, he’s going to be charged,” [spokesman Chris] Cowan said. “And there’s no difference between Michael Phelps and several other people that we arrest for the same type of a charge everyday.”

Perhaps Sheriff Lott was deterred by talk that going after Phelps would have constituted a selective prosecution?

A reader poll and the opportunity to comment, after the jump.


In prior posts, ATL commenters voiced strong opinions on L’Affaire Phelps (largely in defense of Phelps and in favor of legalizing pot, but with a few strong dissents). What’s your view?

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You can also sound off on the latest developments in the comments.

SC sheriff: No pot charge for Phelps after photo [AP via Drudge]

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