I was surprised to find that there are a ton of pictures online of celebrities smoking weed. I was also very surprised by which celebrities had these kinds of pictures online. Barack Obama? Cameron Diaz? I knew they smoked but I wasn’t expecting to find actual pictures. Despite how you may feel about weed, some of these pictures are pretty convincing examples of successful people that smoke marijuana, while others are also very good examples of celebrities that whose careers have been negatively affected by weed. I’ll leave it to you to decide if it’s possible (or impossible) to be a successful pothead.

So, in honor of 4/20, here are some of your favorite celebrities smoking pot…

Were you surprised by any of these? Tell us in the comments!

4/20 is months away. So why is it that you’re seeing people smoking weed everywhere you go? Maybe it’s because a new government study just concluded that regularly smoking pot, even over a period of several years, does not impair lung function. Really.

As you would probably guess, marijuana is the country’s most-used illegal drug, especially among teenagers. Another government report released in December showed that one in 15 high school students smokes pot almost every day. So basically, this study is great news for a huge number of Americans.

The study had over 5,000 participants who were monitored over a period of two decades. Researchers were looking to determine whether or not smoking marijuana causes damage to the lungs, and, specifically, whether smoking pot is as harmful as smoking cigarettes. The scientists found that people who regularly smoked marijuana – an average of one joint per day for seven years – showed no decrease in performance on a lung function test. The test measures the amount of air a person can force out in one second after taking a deep breath. Cigarette smokers do show a loss of lung function when given this test.

Lung function did begin to decline in test subjects who were heavier marijuana users. And people who smoked a combination of marijuana and cigarettes also experienced impairment. But ultimately, the researchers concluded that moderate marijuana use does not decrease lung function, and is not a risk factor for respiratory disorders like COPD. One theory as to why marijuana smoke is less harmful than tobacco smoke has to do with pot’s active ingredient – THC. It’s possible that the natural anti-inflammatory effects of THC actually interfere with the development diseases like COPD.

The government does, of course, want to remind you that smoking pot carries risks. Marijuana does irritate the airways in the short term and it reduces attention span, heightening your risk of accidents. It can also lead to problems with learning and memory. But come on, you have to admit it’s kind of hilarious when government scientists say it’s ok to smoke weed.

Garnet is a student at Columbia University in New York City. When she’s not dancing or writing, she can be found exploring the city, and let’s be honest, spending way too much time on the internet. Follow her @garnethenderson.

See? She smokes pot and she turned out OK! Oh wait....

According to the LA times, 1 in 3 high school seniors smoke pot. This news is not that shocking to most of us, but apparently surprising enough that Obama’s “Drug Czar” and the rest of the old people in this country are up in arms (and probably somehow blaming Miley). Look, I get it. Despite the recent research proving the many benefits of tokin’ a little green now and then, many people still only see the negative side of things.

Studies centered on long time marijuana use have shown impaired coordination, difficulty with thinking/problem solving, problems with memory and learning. Chronic users may even have learning and memory loss that can last for days or weeks. Even scarier, “Estimates from research suggest that about 9 percent of users become addicted to marijuana; this number increases among those who start young (to about 17 percent) and among daily users (25-50 percent)” (Drugabuse.gov).

Yes, those are some scary facts and most definitely should concern us all. But one thing many people (namely those people who are freaking out about the recent rise in marijuana use) don’t realize is that those results are based on participants who are long time and chronic pot smokers, not to mention people who might dabble in some other recreational drugs.

So instead of focusing on the negative, let’s find the silver lining, shall we?

First and foremost, this study shows not that more teens are smoking pot but that for the first time in a long time, high school students are smoking more pot than cigarettes. Isn’t that a good thing? Couldn’t that mean that less students are smoking harmful, unhealthy, disgusting cigarettes? And even though chronic weed use may have some pretty scary side affects, I think we can all agree that cigarettes cause far more harm: ease of addiction; yellow teeth and nails; thinning hair; wrinkles; bad breath; smelling gross in general; and lung, throat and mouth cancer.

Yes, learning your sweet, innocent child smokes pot may be a little (well a lot) concerning, but isn’t a little pot here and there way better than chain smoking Marlboro Lights between first and second period? And in the grand scheme of things, it’s just pot. Yes, just pot. There are far worse and more addictive drugs kids could be doing. And just because someone “smoked pot in the past 30 days” (which is what this particular study was asking), it doesn’t mean they are going to be some Phish-obsessed stoner with a bong collection in their college dorm room.

With all the other drugs out there, taking a hit of a blunt (or, as this study referred to it, a “marijuana cigarette”) sometimes isn’t such a big deal. Just because high school students are smoking it does not mean they are abusing it. This is really not that big a deal. Let them do their thang, eat their Fritos, realize it’s not that fun and be done with it.

While most people will celebrate this national holiday behind a hanging tapestry in the privacy of their dorm room with 12 bags of chips and a tub of frosting, there are some schools that turn it into a campus affair.

Cue my regret for choosing the wrong school.
And pass the Cheetos.

UC Berkeley – People’s Park Celebration
Last year, more than 1,000 people joined this pot-extravaganza to celebrate with (slow) dancing, (lots of) eating, and (passionate) speeches. I can just see it: people cooking rice and beans under the shade of a willow tree, with and endless supply of Cliff Bars and positive feelings. Utopia.

University of California, Santa Cruz – Celebration at Porter Meadow
Not even a lack of shuttle services or parking stops UCSC students from hiking up Empire Grand for a glassy eyed, sunny day in Porter Meadow come 4/20. “National Pot Smoking Day” has turned Parker Meadow into a ‘baked circus’ every year at the University. Vendors set up in the field to feed the munchies of nearly 5,000 people while bands perform, ‘Santa Cruz 420′ t-shirts are handed out, and a soft haze sits over the meadow. Sounds like a party.

Colorado University at Boulder – 4/20 Smoke-out
Last year 10,000 students and residents came out to Norlin Quad to hit the bong. 10,000! Campus police have announced they’ll be ticketing people in possession of marijuana going to or from the Smoke-out this year, but I have a feeling no one’s gonna care as long as they’ve got a $5 foot long in their hands.

University of Redlands – ’4/20 Fest’ at Pharaoh’s Theme Park
Although this concert celebration does not outright announce it as a pot-smoking event, it is held annually during the infamous 4/20 weekend. And this description may say it all: “…the audience is encouraged to dream and immerse themselves into otherworldy magic.’ Read: come stoned.

University of Michigan – Hash Bash
Centered around the goal to reform the legalization of marijuana, this celebration is sprinkled with speeches, live music, a man dressed as a hot dog, street vending (which, I’m hoping, means lots of grub), and a whole lot of hashish. Hash Bash has been going strong (or stoned…) for 28 years. Last year, thousands came to get really baked support the event.

It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time to fast forward through 50 minutes of BS/commercials/Kara Dioguardi talking to find out who gets voted off of Idol.  It also means that it’s time to pass the slowest day of the week with a little game of “Would You Rather….”

So, here is this week’s question. Think long and hard, answer, then tell us why in the comments below.

Would you rather change the legal drinking age to 18 or legalize marijuana?

Things to Consider: Freshman year, relaxing after a stressful week, unlimited food in the caf.

No, I’m not being peer pressured (my guy friends aren’t begging to give me their weed for free…they want it for themselves!); I’m just curious and I sorta want to see what all the fuss is about.

And, yes, I know it’s technically illegal, but we’ll just skip that part and look at it realistically, shall we? Since we’re normally all law-abiding, good college students who would never do anything wrong or illegal, obvi. (Like those 2.5 years in college where we were under 21….)

Love it
Or rather, my friends love it. They always tell me about how good they feel afterward, like “a balloon that has just been released to go float among the clouds.” (Yeah, he was already high. I didn’t really get it, either.) Some claim it even helps them work better, especially for creative writing papers and art class. It relieves stress, helps you sleep better, gives you confidence (for my shy guy friends to ask out girls), and just makes you happier in general.

I’ve also heard friends say it helps with headaches, toothaches, and even sex. Oh, and I’m told some movies (like Pineapple Express) are ten times better high than not (which might be why I didn’t like it that much). Medically speaking, it helps thousands of people relieve the pain they suffer from glaucoma and many other maladies, so it can’t be detrimental to your body, right? I mean, even Michael Phelps is doin’ it and he’s the best athlete in the world!

Loathe it
It’s illegal.

If you’re caught with it, you could be fined or go to jail or, worse, your parents could find out and you’ll be forever labeled “the girl who does drugs” at family reunions. It also makes your clothes smell, makes your wallet lighter, and makes you on the lookout for your hit next constantly. (Editor’s Note: Or your next bag of chips. Those munchies are brutal, girlfriend.) You could get addicted and keep spiraling down and do things you normally wouldn’t do, like stealing and cheating just to get high again.

Also, I live a pretty healthy lifestyle (except the occasional tailgate) and don’t want to do anything harmful to my body, especially something dangerous and illegal like weed. It reminds me too much of smoking, which I absolutely hate, and I can’t help but wonder deep down that it’s illegal for a reason. Just what is it doing to people’s insides?

When it comes down to it, there are so many other fun things to do with my friends than light up a joint and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my life so far without it, so why change? I would rather spend my money on those Alexander McQueen booties I saw at Fashion Week anyway. But I’m in college and college is about experimenting, so I’m completely torn.

Help?

As Slate’s Daniel Engber reports, a 2007 survey reveals that about 6 percent of Americans between 50 and 59 reported smoking pot in the past year. That means that more baby boomers than ever before are lighting up—and it’s fairly likely that our parents are among them.

Worried? I know I am. Sure, my mom and dad were teenagers in the ‘60s and ‘70s, when pot was as prevalent as ridiculous hairstyles, but it’s weird to think that they ever smoked in the first place—let alone that they might be doing it this very moment. And because I’m at school, I can’t keep tabs on them to make sure that our house is a toke-free zone.

But if any of the following things happen, I’ll know for sure that Mom and Dad are celebrating 4/20 a few months early. Without further ado: 6 Signs That Your Parents Might Be Stoners.

- When your mom and dad come to visit during Parent’s Weekend, all they want to do is sit around and watch Planet Earth in your dorm room.

- For Thanksgiving dinner this year, your mom gives nothing but one giant bag of Cool Ranch Doritos to every guest.

- Dad announces that he and Mom are taking a trip to Jamaica in early February to celebrate Bob Marley’s birthday.

- They start subscribing to Showtime just so that they can get Weeds on demand.

- Your mom sends you a care package with a Tupperware container filled with brownies and a note warning you only to eat one at a time.

- It’s impossible to have a phone conversation with your dad—not because he keeps nagging you, but because he starts giggling hysterically every time you speak.

Any other signs we should look out for?

You may not be into smoking marijuana.
You may be known to light up a joint or two with friends on the weekend.
Hell, you may do it every day, as much as you possibly can.

We’re not ones to judge.

No matter what your relationship with pot is, we think you’ll find the results of a recent study done by researchers at University of California San Diego pretty interesting.

It turns out that marijuana may actually be good for us binge-drinking party animals, AKA: college students. The study showed that smoking the pot helped protect our brains from all that harmful boozing (ice luge, anyone?) we do on a weekly basis.

The study was done on a test group of teens aged 16-19 who fell into three categories: binge drinkers (“We’ll turn studying into a drinking game!”), those who drank and smoked (“I always chase my beer with a bong hit!”), and those who rarely did either (wait..those people exist?). The results of the brain scans of these three groups came as a shock (and maybe a little bit of excitement) to us: when testing seven areas of the brain the teens who sucked on the reefer were in better shape than those who chose binge drinking alone.

So marijuana doesn’t kill brain cells? In fact, it makes our brains stronger?

Looks like I’ve been doing things totally wrong all these years. I need to start working some bong hits into my evening festivities; it might do me (and my GPA) some good.

This past Monday, season five of Weeds premiered on Showtime and reminded me of one of my biggest girl crushes – Mary-Louise Parker – who plays the sassy, snappy California soccer mom turned rebellious drug-dealer on the television mega-hit. Beautiful, talented and unafraid to show off her stuff (Parker posed nude in advertisements for the third season in 2007 and appeared naked in a bathtub in the season 4 finale… not bad for 46 years old!), Mary-Louise has come a long way from her hometown of Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

In addition to earning acclaim as Nancy Botwin, Weeds’s pot-pushing, Mexican-border-hopping protagonist, Parker has demonstrated that she is well suited for the stage. In 2001, she won a Tony award for her Broadway performance in Proof (which was then turned into a movie and snatched up by Gwyneth Paltrow), and she received both a Golden Globe and an Emmy for her work in the HBO miniseries Angels in America. MLP added to her Emmy tally, and added a Screen Actors Guild Award to her resume, for her guest performances on seasons three through seven of the political drama, The West Wing.

In 1996, Parker met and began dating heartthrob actor Billy Crudup, who ended the relationship while Parker was seven months pregnant with their son in 2004. He started dating Clare Danes immediately after the breakup, although he maintains that his decision to dump Parker on her pregnant booty had nothing to do with the beautiful blonde actress. Tom Brady, anyone? Since then, Parker has dated Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz, actor-director Timothy Hutton, and Weeds co-star Jeffrey Dean Morgan, to whom she was engaged for a few months in 2008.

Mary-Louise Parker will continue to give hope to horny little potheads (and, um, normal 21-year-olds like myself) through 2010, as Weeds is confirmed to run through then. Perhaps she’ll help lead the efforts to legalize the happy green plant in the US?

“I’m really in favor of legalizing marijuana,” she said after accepting her Golden Globe in 2006. “I don’t think it’s that controversial.”

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