Elton John Calls Marijuana Legalization ‘One of the Greatest Mistakes’
Elton John didn’t mince words when expressing his opposition to marijuana legalization in North America. The iconic singer-songwriter, named Time magazine’s 2024 Icon of the Year, opened up about his past struggles with drug addiction and shared his strong stance against the widespread legalization.
A History of Addiction and Recovery
“I maintain that it’s addictive. It leads to other drugs,” John said.
“And when you’re stoned — and I’ve been stoned — you don’t think normally. Legalizing marijuana in America and Canada is one of the greatest mistakes of all time.”
Since achieving sobriety, John has been a vocal advocate for recovery, serving as a supportive figure for other artists grappling with addiction. He recounts sponsoring Eminem and helping British pop star Robbie Williams take his first steps toward rehab. However, John acknowledges that his efforts weren’t always successful, noting his inability to help the late George Michael.
“It’s tough to tell someone that they’re being an asshole, and it’s tough to hear,” John said. “Eventually I made the choice to admit that I’m being an asshole.”
Learning From Past Mistakes
John’s strong opinions on marijuana stem from his own personal battles with addiction, a journey that began in the mid-1970s when his then-lover and manager, John Reid, introduced him to cocaine.
“You make terrible decisions on drugs,” he admitted. “I wanted love so badly, I’d just take hostages. I’d see someone I liked and spend three or four months together, and then they would resent me because they had nothing in their life apart from me. It really upsets me, thinking back on how many people I probably hurt.”
John’s candor about his past and his stance against marijuana legalization offer a glimpse into his commitment to honesty and his desire to use his platform to share hard-learned lessons with others.
