Neil deGrasse Tyson Defends Elon Musk’s Cannabis Stunt

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]N[/dropcap]eil deGrasse Tyson rushed to the defense of Elon Musk amid backlash after the Tesla and SpaceX tycoon smoked cannabis during a live interview with Joe Rogan on The Joe Rogan Experience. Tyson has repeatedly defended medical and recreational cannabis in the past, and sees no reason why Musk shouldn’t be allowed to partake.

Many observers have questioned the hypocrisy over the uproar following Musk’s decision to smoke cannabis—a pastime that millions of Americans do on a daily basis. Even the Air Force was looking into Musk’s security clearance after he smoked cannabis.

Tyson wasn’t having it. “Can they leave him alone? Let the man get high if he wants to get high,” Tyson said. Tyson made the comment while signing autographs on Sept. 11 in New York City after appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Tyson also went on to defend Musk’s countless contributions to science. “He’s the best thing we’ve had since Thomas Edison,” Tyson said. Tyson also advised against smoking cannabis in space, because optimum physical and mental health are so critical in space, and the slightest changes in astronaut’s health can be grounds for a potential disaster. Tyson also said that cannabis should be legalized a year ago. Although he doesn’t consume cannabis himself, he can see that it is harmless.

We’re still not sure exactly what Musk’s current stance on cannabis is. Even though Musk smoked cannabis, just weeks ago, he told The New York Times that “Weed is not helpful for productivity. There’s a reason for the word ‘stoned.’ You just sit there like a stone on weed.” Musk’s views on cannabis appear to be slowly evolving.

Tyson, on the other hand, has consistently backed efforts to legalize cannabis. Both men are highly respected in the scientific community. But the astrophysicist made it clear that he is on Musk’s side when it comes to the current controversy. “Count me as team Elon,” Tyson said.