Elton John has severe issues concerning the shifting authorized standing of marijuana.
In a Time interview printed on-line Wednesday, the musician took concern with the legalization of the drug in elements of North America.
“I maintain that it’s addictive,” mentioned John, who was named the journal’s 2024 “Icon of the Year.”
“It leads to other drugs,” he added.
The “I’m Still Standing” singer targeted his criticism on marijuana’s influence on the psychological state of customers.
“And when you’re stoned—and I’ve been stoned—you don’t think normally,” he defined. “Legalizing marijuana in America and Canada is one of the greatest mistakes of all time.”
Bruce Glikas through Getty Photographs
In Canada, leisure hashish use was legalized for adults again in 2018, with medical use permitted years earlier.
In the meantime, greater than 20 states within the U.S., in addition to the District of Columbia, have legalized the leisure use of marijuana for adults, with a fair bigger quantity permitting medical use. Although it stays unlawful on the federal degree, earlier this yr the Justice Division formally moved to reclassify hashish as a much less harmful drug, recognizing its medical makes use of. The proposal has but to be accredited.
Referring to his previous expertise with dependancy, John informed Time, “You make terrible decisions on drugs.”
The star — who’s opened up beforehand about his use of alcohol and medicines like marijuana and cocaine — acquired sober in 1990 following the dying of his buddy Ryan White, who’d contracted HIV from a blood transfusion.
“It all came to a climax, really, at the Ryan White funeral in Indianapolis—a really sad and emotional week—and I came back to the hotel thinking I’m just so out of line” John informed Time. “It was a shock to see how far down the scale of humanity I’d fallen.”
Since then, he’s labored to assist different high-profile figures confront their substance use points. John has mentioned that he’s the Alcoholics Nameless sponsor for rapper Eminem, and singer Boy George has referred to as John “very supportive” in his personal sobriety journey.
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Learn extra on John at Time.
Need assistance with substance use dysfunction or psychological well being points? Within the U.S., name 800-662-HELP (4357) for the SAMHSA Nationwide Helpline.
