Elton John, a vocal artist and songsmith, harbors profound reflections on the legalization of marijuana in both the United States and Canada. The esteemed musician has been honored as Time magazine's Icon of the Year for 2024. During his interview with the publication, he opened up about his personal battles with drug addiction and why he doesn't share the casual indifference towards marijuana that many others do.
"I firmly believe that marijuana is addictive," he asserted. "It serves as a gateway to other, more harmful substances. And when you're under its influence—I've been there too—your thoughts become distorted. Legalizing marijuana in America and Canada is, in my opinion, one of the gravest blunders ever committed."
He further elaborated that his stance on legal marijuana is deeply rooted in his experiences with other drugs. Since conquering his own addiction, he has dedicated himself to helping others overcome theirs, offering his support to countless individuals in need. According to the magazine, he has sponsored Eminem, orchestrated Robbie Williams' initial rehabilitation journey, and even attempted to assist George Michael, albeit unsuccessfully.
"It's challenging to confront someone and tell them they're acting like an asshole, and it's equally difficult to hear such criticism," John continued. "But eventually, I made the conscious decision to acknowledge my own shortcomings."
Elsewhere in his profile, he reminisced about the fateful introduction to cocaine by his former lover and then-manager, John Reid. Initially, he perceived it as a liberating elixir, a shield against his debilitating shyness. However, in time, it morphed into a commanding force that overshadowed his life. The artist behind "Hold Me Closer" confessed, "When under the influence, one makes horrendous choices. I yearned for love so intensely that I'd seize anyone as a hostage. I'd encounter someone I admired and immerse myself in their company for three or four months, only for them to harbor resentment towards me later, realizing I had become the sole focal point in their existence. Reflecting now, it deeply perturbs me to contemplate the number of souls I might have injured."
As he cast a reflective gaze over his life's journey, John pinpointed three pivotal factors that steered him towards sobriety: Watford FC, the hometown soccer club where his childhood memories lingered; Alcoholics Anonymous, a sanctuary for recovery; and Ryan White, a teenage boy who succumbed to HIV in 1990, a victim of a contaminated blood transfusion during the nascent stages of the AIDS pandemic. "It all culminated, poignantly, at Ryan White's funeral in Indianapolis—a week steeped in sorrow and emotional turmoil," he recounted. "Returning to the hotel, I was struck with the stark realization of how far I had strayed from the path of humanity. It was a jarring awakening to witness the depths of degradation I had plummeted to."
