The winner in a landslide for being photographed smoking a bong at a party, Olympic champion Michael Phelps became an instant pot-poster guy, though he insisted the toke was a mistake and he'd never do it again.

This list is based on popularity, relevance and posts over the year. Phelps led all Top CelebStoners with 30 posts in 2009. No other Top CelebStoner had more than 10.

1. Michael Phelps
The bong hit seen 'round the world was not the way Phelps expected 2009 to go for him. Once the photo leaked out - taken at a party in South Carolina in late 2008 - a full-scale media storm ensued. One of his sponsors Kellogg bolted and he was suspended for three months. Since then, Phelps competed in several international meets in preparation for the 2012 Olympics.

2. Cheech & Chong
The dopey duo - Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong - continued their reunion Light Up America tour through the first half of the year. After taking a short break, they plotted the Get It Legal tour, which begins on Jan. 16. TBS roasted them and they appeared on numerous news and late-night talk TV shows. In addition, Chong began blogging right here at CelebStoner.

3. Snoop Dogg
The Doggfather managed to stay in the news without getting arrested. He headlined the Blazed & Confused summer tour with Slightly Stoopid, challenged Bill O'Reilly and debuted his "Wake & Bake Show" on Ustream. In November, Snoop dropped his latest album Malice N Wonderland, featuring "I Wanna Rock."

4. Barack Obama
In his first year as president, Obama held true to his campaign promise by putting a leash on the DEA and federal prosecutors who'd been feasting on medical-marijuana patients and dispensaries during the the Bush era. In October, Attorney General Eric Holder issued a memo stating that such prosecutions and harassment "is unlikely to be an efficient use of limited federal resources." Due to this new policy, medical-marijuana distribution has exploded in California and Colorado, and is making strides in Montana, New Mexico and other states. We have Obama to thank for this.

5. Willie Nelson
Another year, another two albums from the most prolific man in the music business. Nelson collaborated with his friend Ray Benson on Willie and the Wheel and returned to standards on American Classic. Both are nominated for Grammy Awards.

6. B-Real
Cypress Hill's frontman went solo, releasing Smoke N Mirrors and touring on his own. In October, B-Real and Guerilla Union relaunched the Cypress Hill SmokeOut. When he wasn't playing music and organizing a festival, B-Real could be seen on his YouTube channel instructing stoners on the fine art of making elaborate joints. Follow him on Twitter.

7. Method Man & Redman
The Cheech & Chong of hip-hop, Meth and Red returned to the recording studio and stage with the release of Blackout 2. Meth was in the news when his wife's car was repossessed and the IRS nailed him for tax evasion.

8. Megan Fox
The stunning actress had a big year, starring in the blockbuster Tranformers: Revenge of the Fallen and as a possessed student in Jennifer's Body. In an interview, Fox repeated a statement she'd made in 2007 about marijuana: "I hope they legalize it."

9. Doug Benson
The star of 2008's Super High Me had a a Comedy Central special, toured regularly doing stoner stand-up, and hosted his most unusual Interruption shows and the "I Love Movies" podcast. In the fall, Benson went on the Medical Marijuana tour - 13 shows in the 13 states that have legalized use for patients (including Alaska and Hawaii). Follow him on Twitter.

10. Jack Herer
The author of The Emperor Wears No Clothes had been making the rounds on the summer festival circuit when he was felled by a devastating heart attack in September. Herer remains hospitalized in Oregon. We hope he gets well soon.

Honorable Mention: Jack Black, Adrianne Curry, Woody Harrelson, Bill Maher, Paul McCartney, Sarah Silverman,  Kristen Stewart and Katt Williams.

Method Man & Redman photo by Tracy Ketcher

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