Elton John has voiced his strong disapproval of legalizing marijuana in a recent Time magazine interview, part of their Icon of the Year coverage. The legendary singer, known for his years of sobriety, shared candid thoughts on the issue.
“I maintain that it’s addictive,” John stated. “It leads to other drugs. And when you’re stoned—and I’ve been stoned—you don’t think normally.” He added, “Legalizing marijuana in America and Canada is one of the greatest mistakes of all time.”
John’s perspective is shaped by his own recovery journey and his commitment to helping others. As Time noted, he has supported fellow artists like Eminem and helped English pop star Robbie Williams enter rehab. However, he expressed regret over not being able to help the late George Michael, who struggled with substance abuse and died in 2016 at 53.
John’s longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin reflected on the challenges during John’s substance abuse period. “I was terrified for him. It was absolutely horrible,” Taupin said. He also noted that their creative work suffered during those years: “A lot of the work that we did in the times when he was at his worst wasn’t the best of both of us.”
John’s firm stance on marijuana legalization underscores his commitment to sobriety and his concern for the impact of drug use on creative and personal lives.
