Codey's Joke On Pot, Phelps Makes Waves

A crack made by New Jersey's Senate president involving Olympic gold-medal swimmer Michael Phelps is drawing criticism from some medical marijuana advocates.

Sound Off: Medical Marijuana Bill Joke

The bill was approved 22-16 by the state Senate after about 15 minutes of discussion on the floor Monday. It would give chronically ill patients legal access to marijuana. The Assembly has yet to consider the measure.

If the "Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Act" -- sponsored by state Sen. Nicholas P. Scutari, D-Union -- becomes law, New Jersey would be the 14th state to allow medicinal marijuana.

The live footage of the Senate in session Monday was carried courtesy of the New Jersey Cable Telecommunications Association.

State Senate President Richard J. Codey, a Democrat from Essex County and twice the state's interim governor, said as the voting ended, "You can celebrate later."

When light laughter and groans resulted, he chuckled, "You took it the wrong way."

After announcing the outcome of the bill's third and final passage, Codey declared the measure passed. He directed the secretary to close the machines for a tally.

Then, the phone on the podium rang.

"Hello? OK. I'll get him," he appeared to say into the phone before banging the gavel and telling the legislative body, "Um, excuse me, Senator Scutari, I just want you to know that was a congratulate, congratulating you, and it was from Michael Phelps."

This time there was a louder mix of laughter, groans and some applause as Codey laughed, too.

"All right, bill's on third reading," he said, carrying on with business.

Advocates say medicinal marijuana has been shown to alleviate pain and nausea in patients suffering from cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis and HIV/AIDS when other drugs fail.

Critics claim the measure would condone and promote illegal drug use.

Phelps, of course, won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics last summer. But he was suspended by USA Swimming this month after a British tabloid published a photograph showing him with a marijuana pipe at a party in November at the University of South Carolina.

The 23-year-old Phelps apologized and called the suspension "fair." While he has returned to training in his hometown of Baltimore, the suspension put him behind his preparation for the world championships. He plans to swim competitively for the first time next in May at a meet in Charlotte.

Fox 29 News has been contacted by two people upset by Codey's remark, including Ken Wolski, executive director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey, Inc., who says medical marijuana "is not a joking matter."

Fox 29 News is reaching out to Codey's office for comment, and we'll have more in a live report at 5 p.m.