Posts Tagged ‘marijuana’

Michael Phelps Calls Pot Photo “Bad Mistake”

March 12th, 2009 / Author: OK! Staff

Michael Phelps is speaking up about that infamous photo of him "allegedly" smoking marijuana.

In an interview with The Today Show’s Matt Lauer airing March 13 and March 15, Phelps admits that what he did was "bad judgement" and "a mistake."

"It was– really, you know, the people I hurt, you know, is my family, clearly. My friends," he says.  "The close people around me.  And  most importantly, the fans.  And– and, you know, I realize that that hurt a lot of people."

When asked to recall the events leading up to the photo being taken Phelps says, "I mean, we were just celebrating, honestly.  And– you know, there was probably two or three people there I didn’t know.  It was a very small group.  Six or seven people probably total in the whole house.  Like nothing major.  You know, not like a giant college house party.  It was nothing like that.  It was just a small group and we were just sitting around and celebrating."

MORE PICS OF MICHAEL PHELPS:
<a href="http://www.okmagazine.com/pixandvids/gallery/8368/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://d-images.okmagazine.com/img/photos/large/14585.gif" width="74" height="100"/></a> <a href="http://www.okmagazine.com/pixandvids/gallery/8368/2" target="_blank"><img src="http://d-images.okmagazine.com/img/photos/large/14584.gif" width="74" height="100"/></a> <a href="http://www.okmagazine.com/pixandvids/gallery/8368/3" target="_blank"><img src="http://d-images.okmagazine.com/img/photos/large/14583.gif" width="74" height="100"/></a> <a href="http://www.okmagazine.com/pixandvids/gallery/8368/4" target="_blank"><img src="http://d-images.okmagazine.com/img/photos/large/14582.gif" width="74" height="100"/></a> <a href="http://www.okmagazine.com/pixandvids/gallery/8368/5" target="_blank"><img src="http://d-images.okmagazine.com/img/photos/large/14581.gif" width="74" height="100"/></a>

Phelps says he found out about the photo around the same time that the rest of America did. But he explains that while he knows he made a mistake, it wasn’t the handful of lost endorsements that first caused him the biggest worry.

"It’s not about money to me.  So, you know, the — the contract side of things, yeah, I was disappointed," he says. "But, you know, I think the biggest thing is– is who I hurt the most.  Like, if I lost money, okay.  It’s not an issue with me."

In the age of camera phones and the readily accessible internet, did Michael ever think that maybe someone at the party might snap a picture and take advantage of the situation?

"I trusted my friends who were there about who they were," he says. "And clearly they weren’t trusted people… Sometimes you learn the hard way."

Phelps Won’t be Charged for Pot Photo

February 16th, 2009

Michael Phelps will not be charged over that photo of him smoking marijuana out of a bong. The world can now return to normal.

On Monday, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said no charges would be filed against Phelps, who has faced a media onslaught ever since a photo (taken at a party in November when Phelps visited the University of South Carolina) leaked onto the internet showing him hitting the bong.

TMZ reports that Sheriff Lot defended the Olympic swimmer, saying, "Michael Phelps is truly an American hero … but even with his star status, he is still obligated to obey the laws of our state."

Eight other people were arrested in connection with the photo — seven for possession and one for dealing.

Michael Phelps Photo Causes Eight Arrests

February 10th, 2009

Michael Phelps isn’t the only one in trouble after a picture of him smoking from what looks like a bong at a party in Columbia, S.C. surfaced. Police have now arrested eight in connection with the case, on seven charges of drug possession and one of distribution, reports local news channel WIS10.

 

The owner of the bong, who wasn’t even at the party where the picture was taken, was also reportedly trying to sell the piece on eBay for as much as $100,000, probably not the best way to avoid police scrutiny. He’s one of those who’s been charged in the case.

 

So far the Olympian himself hasn’t been arrested or charged, but officials are building a case under the direction of Sheriff Leon Lott, with the help of the photo and search warrants served on those involved.

 

Michael Phelps Suspended from USA Swimming

February 5th, 2009

Well, it was only a matter of time. 14-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps has been suspended for three months by USA Swimming for that picture of him smoking pot from a bong.

TMZ is reporting the organization has cut off financial support to 23-year-old Phelps for three months as well. On Thursday, USA Swimming said, "This is not a situation where any anti-doping rule was violated, but we decided to send a strong message to Michael because he disappointed so may people, particularly the hundreds of thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and a hero."

 

Michael won’t fight the punishment.

George Michael Apologizes to Fans for Drug Arrest

September 22nd, 2008

Someone really needs to tell George Michael to stay away from publich restrooms. Ten years ago, he was caught by Los Angeles police in a compromising position with another man inside a public toilet and then, only days ago, the pop star was arrested in a suburban London restroom for possession of crack cocaine and marijuana.

"I want to apologize to my fans for screwing up again, and to promise them I’ll sort myself out," said the singer, who had recently completed a sold-out U.S. tour, in a statement released on Sunday. "And to say sorry to everybody else, just for boring them."

This latest arrest for George comes two years after he was found unconscious and under the influence of drugs behind the wheel of his car in London. As part of his punishment for the infraction, he was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and banned from driving for two years.

Amy Winehouse: Brain Damaged?

September 2nd, 2008 / Author: OK! Staff

According to a report out of England on Monday, Grammy winner Amy Winehouse may have already done irreparable harm to her brain with her admitted drug use.

The British singer, who is notorious for flaunting her substance abuse to the media, has reported already suffered two overdoses in the past year and the possibility of a third one has doctors worried it will be her last.

"The future is bleak, bleak, bleak," a friend of Amy is quoted as telling the UK’s Sun newspaper, adding that the "Rehab" songstress allegedly smoked so much marijuana and hashish during a recent 36-hour period that she went into convulsions.

This news comes on the heels of the more legal trouble for Amy, who could possibly be sued after failing to show up at a concert performance in Paris. She had been scheduled to headline the Rock En Seine festival on Friday, and according to the show’s promoters, they were notified only two hours before her slated start time that she would not perform.

James Franco Says Pot Not So Bad

August 6th, 2008 / Author: OK! Staff

Pineapple Express heartthrob James Franco is opening up about playing a goofy marijuana dealer and how he feels about smoking pot.

"I don’t consider weed to be any worse than having a beer," he told AOL’s Moviefone, adding that he first got stoned watching the film Dumb and Dumber.

Franco, 30, stars opposite Seth Rogan who, in the film, plays a stoner who witnesses a cop commit murder. The two characters spend the rest of the movie on the run from police.

Rogan, 26, says he related more to Franco’s character in Pineapple Express than he did to Katherine Heigl’s character in Knocked Up.

"I’ve never gotten a girl pregnant before, but I have had a weed dealer that I couldn’t get rid off." he joked. Rogan also revealed that the film Friday with Ice Cube and Chris Tucker "made me want to get high," and that the film’s title is actually named after a type of premium marijuana.

Ahh, the things you learn!

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