Elton John: ‘Legalising cannabis one of greatest mistakes of all time’

Singer songwriter Sir Elton John has branded the decision to legalise cannabis in North America a ‘great mistake’.

After Time magazine dubbed him 2024 ‘Icon of the Year’, the 77-year-old told the publication how he had overcome his addiction and warned of the dangers of taking cannabis.

Cannabis was legalised for adults across Canada in 2018, and is currently legal for recreational use in 24 US states and the District of Columbia.

Addictive gateway drug

Sir Elton said: “I maintain that it’s addictive. It leads to other drugs.” When under the influence of the drug, he explained, “you don’t think normally”.

Legalising marijuana in America and Canada is one of the greatest mistakes of all time.

He added: “Legalising marijuana in America and Canada is one of the greatest mistakes of all time.”

A US report published in 2022 demonstrated that cannabis users are increasing their risk of developing atrial fibrillation – a stroke-related heart condition – by as much as 35 per cent.

Last year, a French study revealed that almost ten per cent of patients admitted to intensive cardiac care units tested positive for cannabis, while Danish-funded research has found strong evidence that young men regularly using cannabis are at significant risk of developing schizophrenia.

Wrong answer

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) recently called on the UK Government to tackle a “drug addiction crisis of unprecedented proportions”.

The think tank’s report, ‘Still ambitious for recovery: How to address illegal drug addiction and strengthen law enforcement’s role’, highlighted that a record of 5,448 people died from drug poisoning in 2023, an 84 per cent increase over the past decade.

Almost ten per cent of adults aged 15-59 reported using illegal drugs in the past year, although the report noted that is likely to underestimate the problem. It also highlighted that 13,800 babies have been born with neonatal withdrawal symptoms since 2012/13.

Sophia Worringer, the CSJ’s Deputy Policy Director, said: “Pretending liberalisation is the answer is plainly wrong. Everywhere you look, it has not stamped out the illegal drug market or acted as a silver bullet to reduce drug deaths or drug use.”