Elton John condemns cannabis legalisation in North America

Sir Elton John has criticised the legalisation of cannabis in parts of North America, calling it “one of the greatest mistakes of all time”, according to an interview with Time magazine.

The British musician, who concluded his touring career last year and has maintained sobriety for 34 years, expressed concerns about cannabis being “addictive” and potentially leading to other drug use.

“When you’re stoned – and I’ve been stoned – you don’t think normally”, said John, who was named Time’s icon of the year. The singer has previously helped celebrities including Eminem and Robbie Williams with addiction recovery.

Cannabis has been legal for adult use in Canada since 2018, with restrictions on possession and distribution. Several US states, including California, have also legalised the drug for medicinal or recreational purposes, though it remains prohibited in others.

John previously revealed in a 1999 David Frost interview that cannabis use had caused throat problems during an Australian tour in the mid-1980s, leading him to quit the drug on medical advice.

The 76-year-old artist also discussed his temperament in the Time interview, acknowledging his “short fuse” when tired or overwhelmed. However, he credited his impatience with helping him compose music swiftly, saying: “It’s really effortless. If I get a lyric and I look at it, the song comes straight out”.

A new documentary, “Elton John: Never Too Late”, directed by David Furnish and RJ Cutler, chronicles the singer’s final North American performance at Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium.

John concluded his 330-date Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour with performances at Glastonbury Festival and a final show in Stockholm, Sweden.

The veteran performer achieved EGOT status earlier this year, becoming the 19th artist to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. In September, he disclosed that an infection had affected vision in his right eye.