Oh joy, moralizing from a dry drunk.

OK boomer

I spent age 16-25 a constant pothead. I mean, some weeks I'd just never be sober. My friend said that I sat up in bed, opened the drawer, pulled out a baggie, packed a bowl, smoked 2 hits, and then layed back down. All without waking up, or stop snoring.

I have never once done any other drug. I'm 42 now, and haven't smoked weed in about 10 years.

I know others with similar stories. Weed does not lead to other drugs. Your choices do.

Translation: I did whatever the fuck I wanted to do and now I've worked out that I was a shithead. It therefore follows that it was these external things that made me a shithead. Nevermind that countless other people have experienced the same things as "essentially harmless fun." I, of course (having been a raging shithead) am in a position to know better.

The logic is flawless.

Okay but seriously, he's entitled to his opinions. Besides, if he's successfully gone through rehab, he's not exactly going to be pro-drugs after that.

I wish the press would stop asking fucking celebrities questions about social issues. They do not represent society and never will.

All I see here is the common kneejerk reaction to anything remotely criticizing marijuana. Elton John is a dry alcoholic and has been supporting other people with substance abuse issues for many years now. To him trivialization of any sort of drug use is negative. Calling it "the greatest mistake" is just some hyperbole to highlight the issue he sees. And he's not wrong in that there are many people, like in this comment section, who act as if there are no negative side effects to consuming cannabis. That is not only wrong but dangerous, because it is a drug and like all drugs it has its downsides that people need to be aware of. Still, personally I think decriminalization was the right thing. But stop acting like cannabis can do no evil.

Noted drug scientist Elton John? Or the musician? Because I don't give a fuck what some entertainment celebrity has to say about that.

I appreciate his history and how it guides this, but I argue that - in the context of addiction - not banning alcohol and its societal promotion is a greater harm by any government. Absurd? Yes. But deep down inside it’s no more absurd than prohibiting marijuana considering their similarities in societal use. I was going to say similarities in relative harm too, but alcohol is killing vastly more people than all other recreational drugs.

Canada legalizing marijuana simply stopped criminalizing normal society. The matrix of harm/help of alcohol, weed, and others is way more complex than prohibition.

He must not be very intelligent to hold these debunked and outdated views. Quite out of touch with reality.

It's always good to hear what the experts have to say on these matters.

It is very habit forming but that's hardly a reason for it to be illegal.

Fuck off elton. You know as well as anyone the same can be said for alcohol. As a legalization person I am very disappointed in at least the illinois legalization. It does not allow for private grow for everyone and puts to much money into to small of hands. In addition all the adult entertainment should have severe advertising restrictions. They should be restricted to only having adverts in other adult businesses. So liquor stores, dispensiaries, gambling establishments, bars, etc. stores should not be able to advertise liquor but just have the section with prices and thats it. Same with restaurants. We should totally allow adults to do these things but it stay out of the general public space.

You can't think of a single greater mistake either of those country's has made that's worse than legal weed? Not a single one?

What a douche.

Stick to music, Elton.

Who asked your opinion and since when as it become relevant?

Go listen to Rocket Man. Please, do that.

This is an individual well known for being a diva, in the bad sense of the expression. He once cancelled a show in my country, with a fully sold out venue, at 250€ a seat, because - grab your seats! - he demand a "masseusse" and the venue was unable to provide a profissional willing to provide the service.

His penchant for heavy drinking is also a well known issue and I have a somewhat hazy memory of reading somewhere he was once a cocaine user. ~~Hoover~~ Vacuum cleaner level. Industrial force.

So... who died and made his opinion relevant?

Stupid old bonger meddling in North American affairs.

Even if I agreed it was a mistake, I'd have a hard time placing it in the top 500.

Soooooooooooo, Germany's Legalization is fine then?

Okay good! (Join the BubatzGartenClub!)

I don't think he would be as famous if people weren't doing drugs while listening to his music

I get paranoid from weed.

But I do like myself some ketamine, cocaine, LSD, DMT, GHB, and MDMA :D

It can be addictive. It can lead to other drugs. Neither of which means it needs to be illegal.

There are bad outcomes to cannabis use. It can kick off schizophrenia and depersonalization disorder, it actually can lower your IQ, and ending up in hospital because of palpitations from the high doses in gummies also happens, as well as cannabis hyperemesis, and it can affect sexual health and cause long term changes in the brain. This podcast did some great research https://www.psychiatrypodcast.com/psychiatry-psychotherapy-podcast/2019/5/1/marijuana-and-mental-health

Do I think recreational use is any more risky than alcohol? No. But using alcohol every day isn't great and neither is cannabis. A drink or two, a joint on the weekend? Not a big deal. Have some fun.

I think legalization in Canada is a bit mixed, dispensing with arresting and prosecuting people for having a little pot was a waste of time, and I don't really care if people relax with it. But there is a demonstrated increase in adverse outcomes from cannabis with legalization on the studies. And the 90 zillion weed stores in every city is overkill. Literally one on every block.

I don't use cannabis, the two times I've tried it it just made me tired so I don't see the point, but I don't care if people do. I just don't think it's wise not to know the risks.