During the interview, the famous singer discussed periods of his life in which he was addicted alcohol and drugs. He went into detail about how drugs negatively affected his life, both professionally and personally. John mentioned that his addiction began in 1974 when his manager and romantic partner, John Reid, introduced him to cocaine, the singer told Time.

It put the singer on a downward spiral that the singer still regrets to this day. He chronicled many of the problems he experienced due to this drug use and how it hampered his life and contributed to many other problems, including those with his songwriting and romantic relationships.

“You make terrible decisions on drugs,” John told Time. 

Through his tribulations, John admitted that his experience during these turbulent times eventually shaped his opinion on addiction, one of the main reasons the singer explained why he felt marijuana was harmful. 

“I maintain that it’s addictive,” John said in the interview with Time. “It leads to other drugs. And when you’re stoned—and I’ve been stoned—you don’t think normally.”

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer then mentioned the marijuana legalization campaign in North America. He condemned such efforts, labeling them a significant societal error given the problems that marijuana can cause. 

“Legalizing marijuana in America and Canada is one of the greatest mistakes of all time,” John said. 

Marijuana has been linked to many detrimental health effects. In February 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published on its website the health risks of using marijuana, including a negative impact on brain health, heart health, mental health, and lung health. The CDC also cited that marijuana can “negatively affect several skills required for safe driving,” which endangers the lives of the user and other innocent drivers on the road. 

Pertaining to the brain, the CDC reported that marijuana use was linked to harming brain function, “specifically the parts of the brain responsible for memory, learning, attention, decision-making, coordination, emotions, and reaction time.” Moreover, research has linked marijuana use to depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. It also has been connected to suicide ideation, as “cannabis is the most common illicit substance detected in suicide victims’ toxicology tests.”