The country is going through an opiate crisis of a massive scale and journalist Alex Miceli worries about a journeyman golfer, who has made a healthy $14 million dollars while playing a sport, getting caught doing illegal drugs and getting suspended for it.
To answer Miceli’s question, yes, in my opinion he should have been suspended for six months, not three.
Perhaps Miceli has been living under a rock, but marijuana is an illegal drug under federal law which usage and possession remains a punishable crime.
“Under federal law, it is illegal to possess, use, buy, sell, or cultivate marijuana in all United States jurisdictions, since the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug, claiming it has a high potential for abuse and has no acceptable medical use”.
Miceli’s argument suggesting the PGA Tour use WADA regulations regarding marijuana usage on tour is shortsighted to say the least. He argues for the adoption of WADA regulations on tour while advocating for a zero ban on marijuana use. So which one is it?
Most sporting events covered and sanctioned under WADA are not week in and week out competitions like the PGA Tour. Players don’t wait week or months for an event, players are competing on a weekly basis, so golfers who regularly use marijuana would test positive no matter what.
Tim Finchem was correct in his assessment and his postured towards the use and promotion of recreational drugs on tour. There’s nothing outdated about this policy. The sport of golf has a worldwide image, especially among youngsters. It is supposed to be a sport of integrity. What kind of message Miceli wishes the tour to extend to young people? Does Miceli think marijuana usage is acceptable on tour? By his argument it seems he thinks so.
Miceli argues that several states have adopted laws regarding the usage of marijuana, but what he fails to mention states, under the 10th Amendment, have the right to enact such laws. Same with the PGA Tour, the tour has the right to enact their own code of conduct under their rules and regulations.
He states, according to Pew, 62% of Americans approve of legalizing marijuana usage, that may be so, but still a federal crime. The 2/3 of states Miceli refers to are mostly for medicinal purpose, not recreational.
So we go back to poor Robert Garrigus. According to Miceli, Garrigus has made over $14.7 million dollars in earnings in a 14 year PGA Tour career. That’s not a bad way of making a living and I applaud him for it, not everybody has those opportunities. But, Garrigus is also an adult, he knew what he was doing and nobody should feel sorry for him, he should be encourage to seek help.
In my opinion, Robert Garrigus is not an example I want kids to follow and I believe the PGA Tour is right in adopting such a bold anti doping policy.
We haven’t seen the effects on gambling on the PGA Tour as of yet, but I hope they have plenty of gambling counselors around, they will need them.
Since Miceli thinks gambling and marijuana usage are perfectly fitting in the world of golf, the next logical question to Alex Miceli would be, should we install Pot Smoking and gambling sections at every First Tee event?
My case against drugs in golf is, keep them out!
http://www.morningread.com/features/da375c7d-4507-407f-8048-8eeb4bebc250