When Michael Phelps was awarded a record eight gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics, it was a moment of great pride for the young swimming champion and his country. Phelps likely wouldn”€™t experience a more prestigious moment the rest of his life and it was undoubtedly cause for celebration. It also would have been the perfect occasion to smoke weed.

Whether or not Phelps smoked marijuana to celebrate his Olympic achievements is something we do not know, but Americans shouldn”€™t have been the least bit surprised if he did. Nor should have Americans been the least bit shocked or disappointed when Phelps was caught smoking marijuana at a party in Columbia, South Carolina recently, a scandal that made national headlines, threatens his legacy, might lead to the loss of corporate sponsorships and could result in criminal charges.

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