Elton John Calls Marijuana Legalization "One Of The Greatest Mistakes Of All Time"

Drawing from his personal battles with substance abuse, John emphasized the addictive nature of marijuana and its potential to lead users toward more dangerous drugs. He remarked to TIME, "I maintain that it's addictive. It leads to other drugs. And when you're stoned—and I've been stoned—you don't think normally."

John's perspective is rooted in his own experiences with addiction. Introduced to cocaine in the 1970s, he found that the drug initially helped him overcome shyness, but it soon led to destructive behavior. Reflecting on that period, he noted, "You make terrible decisions on drugs."

The turning point in John's journey came after the death of his friend Ryan White, a teenager who contracted AIDS from a blood transfusion. Attending White's funeral in 1990, John experienced a profound moment. He recalled, "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."

This led him to seek help, and he has maintained sobriety since then. John has also assisted fellow musicians like Boy George and Eminem in overcoming addiction and has been open about the challenges of sobriety.

John's condemnation of marijuana legalization comes during a societal shift toward normalizing and legalizing its use. As of now, 25 U.S. states have legalized recreational marijuana, and countries like Canada have federally approved its use. Some argue that legalization can reduce criminal justice costs and generate tax revenue. However, emerging research highlights serious public health concerns, including increased rates of addiction, mental health issues, and impaired cognitive function.

Although his comments were quickly met with angry backlash from marijuana users and advocates online, medical experts have documented the many risks associated with both infrequent and consistent use of the drug.

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