By Sola Ojewusi
Legendary musician Elton John has expressed strong disapproval of the legalization of marijuana in the United States and Canada, calling it “one of the greatest mistakes of all time.”
In an interview with Time magazine, part of their Icon of the Year coverage, John shared his concerns about the growing acceptance of cannabis use. “I maintain that it’s addictive,” he said. “It leads to other drugs. And when you’re stoned—and I’ve been stoned—you don’t think normally.”
John’s perspective is shaped by his own long journey of sobriety and his dedication to helping others overcome substance abuse. The publication noted that John has served as a sponsor to fellow musician Eminem and played a pivotal role in English pop star Robbie Williams’ first stint in rehab. However, John candidly shared his regret over not being able to save the late George Michael, who struggled with substance abuse before passing away in 2016 at the age of 53.
Reflecting on his attempt to help Michael, John admitted, “It’s tough to tell someone that they’re being an ahole, and it’s tough to hear. Eventually, I made the choice to admit that I’m being an ahole.”
John’s longtime collaborator, Bernie Taupin, also commented on the impact of addiction on their work. “When he was hooked on drugs, I was terrified for him. It was absolutely horrible,” Taupin said. He revealed that the duo’s creative synergy suffered during John’s darkest times. “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. I wasn’t able to creatively invest any time in writing material that related to him until he actually found himself, and then it was easier for me to reflect upon it.”
Now decades sober, Elton John continues to advocate for sobriety and remains vocal about the dangers of drug use, drawing on his own experiences and those of the artists he’s sought to help.
