Elton John, Who Quit Marijuana, Says "Legalizing Marijuana in North America Is the Worst Mistake"

"Cannabis Has Addictive Properties Leading to Use of Other Drugs"

British pop legend Elton John (77) criticized the legalization of marijuana in parts of the United States and Canada as "one of the worst mistakes."

According to the British daily The Guardian on the 11th (local time), Elton John expressed this opinion in an interview with the newsweekly Time, which named him 'Icon of the Year,' saying, "Marijuana is addictive and leads to the use of other drugs."

Previously, Canada legalized marijuana use for adults in 2018, although it imposed restrictions on possession and distribution limits. Since then, marijuana shops have increased in neighborhoods, and various marijuana products such as gummies, candies, and chocolates are sold both online and offline. Additionally, some U.S. states, including California, have legalized marijuana for medicinal or recreational use. Currently, states where recreational marijuana is legal in the U.S. include Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Nevada, California, Maine, and Washington D.C.

The master of British pop, Elton John. Instagram

He confessed that he himself had been addicted to marijuana in the past. Elton John said, "At that time, I was not thinking normally," and although it is difficult to hear how terrible his behavior had become, admitting this fact helped him cleanse himself. He has not touched marijuana for 34 years and has helped fellow celebrities, including singers Eminem and Robbie Williams, recover from marijuana addiction.

He also revealed in a 1999 interview with David Frost that the throat problems he experienced during his mid-1980s Australian tour were due to marijuana, and that he stopped using marijuana following doctors' advice.

Meanwhile, Elton John, born in 1947, is a legendary pop star who has sold approximately 169 million records worldwide. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom in 1998 and has received numerous music awards, including the Grammy Legend Award and the Disney Legend Award.

He also concluded his worldwide tour last year and, after winning a U.S. Emmy Award in January, joined the 'EGOT' hall of fame, having won the four major American entertainment awards (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). However, in September, he confessed that an infection caused his right eye vision to deteriorate to the point where he could not even watch the musical performances he composed himself.