CNN
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Elton John isn’t keeping his mouth shut when it comes to legalizing marijuana.

In an interview with Time Magazine as part of its Icon of the Year coverage, the legendary singer shared his thoughts on the legalization of cannabis in parts of the US and Canada.

“I maintain that it is addictive,” he said. “It leads to other medications. And when you’re stoned – and I was stoned – you don’t think normally.”

“The legalization of marijuana in America and Canada is one of the biggest mistakes of all time.”

John figures he was sober for many years.

“He’s Eminem’s sponsor. “He orchestrated English pop star Robbie Williams’ first stint in rehab,” the release said.

One artist he unfortunately couldn’t help was the late George Michael, who struggled with substance abuse before dying of heart and liver disease in 2016. He was 53 years old.

“It’s hard to tell someone they’re an asshole, and it’s hard to listen,” John said of trying to help Michael get sober. “At some point I made the decision to admit that I was an asshole.”

John’s long-time writing partner Bernie Taupin said that when John was addicted to drugs, “I was very afraid for him. It was absolutely terrible.”

“A lot of the work we did during the times when he was at his worst was not the best of either of us,” Taupin said. “I couldn’t invest creative time in writing material that related to him until he actually found himself, and then it became easier for me to think about it.”