
Elon Musk smoked cannabis — but was it worth it?
You may have heard or seen the news regarding Elon Musk, founder and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX using cannabis on the Joe Rogan podcast.
For those of you who don’t know, Joe Rogan is a comedian who runs a successful, wide-ranging and engaging podcast, the Joe Rogan Experience. Joe has interviewed esteemed guests such as Jordan Peterson, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Lance Armstrong, Brian Cox, and Mel Gibson, to name a few.
The episode with Elon Musk podcast has hit more than 4.1 million watches on Youtube within 24 hours. The most interesting part of the podcast is when Elon smokes cannabis — a move that has caused a massive backlash for the founder of Tesla. Elon’s one puff has caused Tesla’s share prices to drop 9 percent within a day of the podcast airing. It’s a shame to see such a backlash directed at one of the world’s most innovative humans.
Elon talks about the stress of running multiple companies and how his mind is constantly working 24/7. Elon also told a newspaper he works “120-hour weeks” and takes sedatives. Perhaps using the cannabis might be a better alternative for Musk.
Despite a body of research which shows how cannabis helps to alleviate symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, Musk clearly states to Joe that he does not use cannabis and that thinks it causes unproductivity. This could be no further from the truth.
In 2017, a pilot study published in the journal European Psychopharmacology indicated that the cannabinoid medication Sativex could improve some ADHD symptoms. Researchers found a pattern of improvement across most of the cognitive outcomes and ADHD symptoms, with no evidence of detrimental effects.
In addition to this, the cannabis plants contain more than 400 compounds which work synergistically together — a phenomenon known as the entourage effect. Researchers have not yet unlocked the combination of cannabinoids which lead to productivity, but there is hope research can elucidate a combination for increased focus in the workplace.
Furthermore, cannabis has been shown in a number of studies to help patients suffering from insomnia and anxiety. For example, a new study released this week by JAMA Psychiatry showcases that CBD may have antipsychotic effects.
The shareholders of Tesla response to Musk’s actions clearly demonstrates the depth of misunderstanding that people have regarding the use and benefits of cannabis.
Recreational cannabis
Cannabis has been legalised for adult use in Uruguay, certain parts of America and soon to be Canada (new regulations come into place on 17th October). Canadian company Canopy Growth is gearing up to take on the adult use market. The company recently received a 4 billion investment from Constellations Brands. Canopy, along with Heineken and Molson Coors are focusing on developing cannabis beverages which may be an alternative or replace alcohol. This is not out of the realm of possibilities as the legal cannabis market is catching up to beer and wine.
Legal marijuana is set to outsell liquor in Canada by 2020. Canada’s legal cannabis market is set to be worth $US6.5 billion industry by 2020, according to a new report from CIBC, one of the country’s largest banks. That’s more than the $US5.1 billion Canadians spent on liquor in 2017, and it’s approaching wine sales.
But are cannabis drinks safer option than alcohol? Well, the numbers add up, there has never been a reported death due to cannabis, however approximately 88,0000 people a year die from alcohol poisoning.
Is this fair?
Although Elon used the cannabis in California, one of nine states in America where adult use cannabis is legal, cannabis use is a federal offense in America and may have concerned shareholders, but considering how the cannabis industry is legitimizing — is it worth all the fuss?
Let’s face it, excessive use of any drug, (including alcohol) has negative effects. But does Elon Musk’s one puff warrant such criticism?
