Elton John—musical legend, sobriety champion, and now, apparently, self-appointed moral authority on cannabis legalization. In a recent interview, the 77-year-old had the gall to call legalizing marijuana “one of the greatest mistakes of all time,” spewing tired, debunked claims that it’s “addictive,” a gateway drug, and impairs cognitive thinking.
Sure, Elton’s got a right to his opinion, but when that opinion comes wrapped in privilege and ignorance, it’s time to light up the truth.
Here’s the deal: Elton’s disdain for marijuana reeks of personal baggage. Millions depend on cannabis—cancer patients, veterans with PTSD, people with chronic pain—but Elton would rather shame them than understand their reality. You would think a man with as many health issues as Elton would be more sympathetic to people suffering. His comments aren’t just wrong; they’re dangerous. They reinforce the stigma that keeps people from seeking the help they need. They insult the millions of responsible adults who use cannabis without devolving into chaos.
And let’s shred this whole “gateway drug” myth while we’re at it. Claiming marijuana is a “gateway drug” is about as logical as saying milk leads to heroin. Studies have debunked it, over and over. Poverty, trauma, and a broken healthcare system are the real gateways to addiction. Maybe Elton’s righteous anger would be better spent addressing those systemic issues than scapegoating a plant.
Here’s what Elton’s ivory tower perspective fails to comprehend:
Legal cannabis creates jobs and pours billions into public coffers, funding education, infrastructure, and vital community services. For example, in 2021 alone, Colorado generated over $423 million in cannabis tax revenue, with much of it going toward public schools. California, since legalization, has amassed billions in tax funds, allocating significant portions to education and local development. It regulates products, keeping them safe and off the streets. It dismantles decades of racist drug policies that ruined countless lives. Prohibition didn’t stop people from lighting up; it just funneled money to cartels. Legalization saves lives and livelihoods. But hey, maybe Elton thinks that’s a mistake too.
Hey, Reg, hate to break it to you and that inflated ego, but legalization isn’t about you or your outdated baggage. It’s about progress, science, and giving people the help they need. Stick to pounding the keys and leave cannabis policy to those who actually know what they’re talking about.
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