A photo of Michael Phelps taking a bong hit has the media and internet in a frenzy over marijuana prohibition – at least marijuana prohibition pertaining to an Olympic hero. Those who support legalization say Phelps is an example that marijuana users make up a larger demographic than lazy couch potatoes. Those against legalization use Phelps as an example that marijuana is a growing problem that is now affecting our role models. Both sides of the argument are still missing an important part of the original story. Michael Phelps has a drinking problem.

According to sources from the original story, Phelps was at the University Of South Carolina in Columbia to visit a girl he was “secretly seeing”, but ended up “getting wasted every night” instead. References such as “slamming beers from the get-go” and “throwing back shots two at a time” are mentioned to describe Michaels drinking habits. When you tie these behaviors to someone who also had a very publicized underage DUI arrest in 2004, you would figure media outlets would be quick to cover this Olympic heros battle with alcoholism; but instead they choose to cover his “bad judgment” over hitting a bong.