DOES THIS STONER LOOK UNBEATABLE TO YOU?

If you accept the conclusions underlying the U.S. drug policies opposing the use of marijuana, then you should find this story a little ironic. 

If you do not accept the conclusions underlying the U.S. drug policies opposing the use of marijuana, you still should find this story a little ironic.

It seems Lance Mackey, the current consecutive three-time Champion of the Alaskan Iditarod dog-sled race, openly admits he uses medical marijuana while he races.  In a competition where they have never previously drug-tested the participants – although they have had a policy prohibiting the use of alcohol or illegal drugs - the organizers of the Iditarod have now declared that they will administer random drug testing during the race  (Note: the dogs have been tested for performance-enhancing drugs [PED's] since 1994).  

So now marijuana is a PED?

Look.  I have serious doubts about whether riding on a snow-sled in sub-zero temperatures for fifteen straight days while stoned out of your freakin’ gourd gives anyone a distinct competitive advantage.  If anything, I would think there is a much higher (no pun intended) likelihood they might find the guy frozen to death out in the middle of the Arctic while his dogs are trying to lick that stupid smile off his face.  After all – according to opponents of legalizing marijuana -  smoking pot makes one both lethargic and unmotivated, as well as affecting their judgment and ability to think.

Conclusion:  If you cannot beat a person who is stoned for three straight (pun intended) years in the Iditarod, you need to just “throw in the towel” guys.

Or taking up smoking pot.