Above the Influence?

Celebrity and drug use; they are two fascinations for most people. When the two combine it's an entertainment explosion. The newspapers, magazines, and gossip programs have a field day. Marijuana is the most commonly used drug in the US with nearly 69 million americans over the age 12 having admitted to trying it at least once. Still, whenever a celebrity is caught in possession or admits use there is still a whirlwind of scandal. The commonality of the drug would suggest that we should expect that in our towns not only are the kids doing it, but so are their teachers, parents, mechanics, dentists, and more. So why do we gasp in awe at our favorite celebrities getting caught, when we expect them to be living up their fame? It seems that the drugs are prohibited, in their sex, drugs, and rock & roll fantasies we once carved out for them.

There is a two tiered judgment system for celebrity drug use; certain people can indulge, while others are strickly prohibited. Tricky part for them must be guessing which column they fall into. Right now Michael Phelps is facing a firestorm for being photographed smoking from a bong. When the picture was released it was everywhere immediately, even interuppting regular broadcasts to update information, even interuppting Lost. Now the record breaking Olympian has been suspended form competition for three months because, "He disappointed so many people, particularly the hundreds of thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and a hero," according to the Colorado-Springs based federal commision. Phelps, who is 23, has apologized profusely for his admitted mistake and claimed that he is not a frequent user. Phelps was seen as an inspiration to many and certainly a role model, but when compared to others perhaps the kid is getting crucified for acting his age.

Twilight has been a pre-teen addiction, shooting every one of it's stars into the spotlight. The vampire abstinance story makes the star Kristen Stewart, 18, an instant role-models as well. When the films Stewart, who plays Bella Swan, was caught smoking from a bowl outside her apartment in November and she didn't face the same strife as Phelps. Perhaps that's because her possible romance with her costar seemed more important, or that just looking at her one would guess she'd be a smoker. Stewart and Phelps are similar in their initial situation; they are both young, fresh faces, and role models for kids all around the world. One of the key differences is in the aftermath and their reactions. Not only has she also been spotted in a bikini featuring cannibis leaves, but she has not apologized for anything. Stewart hasn't suffered for her photos, infact she seems to have expanded her fan base with posts popping up to exclaim how cool she was. Stewart not only will still be in the Twilight sequel, New Moon, but even got a nice pay raise along with her other co-stars.

This sort of treatment has happened before. Cheech and Chong made their careers off of smoker credit. Bill Clinton gained credibility when during a MTV interview he said, "I experimented with marijuana a time or two, and I didn't like it. I didn't inhale and never tried it again." He won over the crowd and not to long after, the election. Lots of others have admitted to usage including: Jennifer Aniston, Jack Black, Bob Dylan, Carrie Fisher, James Franco, Steven King, Matthew McConaughey, and Conan O'Brian. There are countless other celebrities who have dealt with marijuana usage in the media, the only difference seems to be how it is dealt with. Some get off easy and others are punished but how can they know in advance what their treatment will be. Before they get caught lighting up they need to make sure their careers won't go up in smoke.