Thousands have joined groups supporting the boycott on social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace, a popular online petition is being spread around Twitter, and a SNL Weekend Update video criticizing Kellogg has gone viral across the internet. It is clear that even if Kellogg does not reinstate Phelps’ contract, a powerful message has been sent to companies facing similar issues in the future: Ditching someone for marijuana use is more risky than not.

While many people will take Kellogg’s actions as a typical PR move, It is important to remember that Kellogg continued to use Phelps as a spokespan after a D.U.I arrest in 2004.  By eliminating his contract now, they have sent a message that putting lives in danger while drinking and driving will be tolorated, but hitting a bong at a party will not.  Those who support the boycott hope that changing a misguided marijuana-policy at a corporate level, will be an important step in realigning drug-policy with public opinion at the government level.

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.