Elton John isn’t holding back when it comes to his thoughts on marijuana legalization. The music legend, who’s lived quite the rollercoaster life, recently called it “one of the greatest mistakes of all time” in a candid interview with Time magazine, where he was crowned Icon of the Year. And let’s just say, he has a lot to say about it!
The 77-year-old superstar, who’s had his fair share of wild moments, didn’t sugarcoat the impact of cannabis, claiming it’s addictive and clouds judgment. “When you’re stoned—and I’ve been stoned—you don’t think normally,” he admitted, reflecting on his own hazy experiences. Elton didn’t stop there. He doubled down on his belief that marijuana can act as a gateway to other drugs.
Elton’s honesty comes from a deeply personal place. His struggles with substance abuse in the past are no secret, and he credits a life-changing moment at the funeral of his friend Ryan White—a young AIDS activist—as the wake-up call he needed. From that day forward, Elton checked into rehab, ditched the chaos, and has been sober since 1990.
But Elton didn’t just turn his life around—he’s been paying it forward. The “Rocket Man” singer has supported big names like Boy George in their recovery journeys and even served as Eminem’s sponsor in Alcoholics Anonymous. However, Elton admitted that helping others isn’t always easy. He revealed his heartbreak over being unable to help George Michael, who tragically passed away in 2016.
For Elton, the problem with marijuana is bigger than just personal experiences. “Drugs make you take terrible decisions,” he said, looking back on the damage it caused in his own life. He described how his poor choices were driven by a desperate need for love, confessing, “I’d see someone I liked, and we’d spend a few months together, but they had nothing in their life apart from me. It really upsets me, thinking about how many people I probably hurt.”
Now, decades sober, Elton is living proof that recovery is possible—and he isn’t shy about using his platform to share his story. Whether you agree with his take on marijuana legalization or not, one thing is clear: Elton John is still hitting all the right notes, both on and off the stage.
