“Never give up the ganja.”
Those are the words Morgan Freeman famously said in a 2003 interview with The Guardian. That was the moment when the world learned that one of Hollywood’s most notable actors had a strong stance towards marijuana.
The Daily Beast met with Morgan Freeman recently. They were supposed to talk about his upcoming movie, but a different, and very interesting topic, filled most of the conversation.
Freeman went on to describe his appreciation of pot, and talked about how he supports the current legalization movement. He spoke to Daily Beast about why he uses cannabis on a regular basis.
Seven years ago, Freeman was in a car accident that nearly took his life.
“I have fibromyalgia pain in this arm,” he said, “and the only thing that offers any relief is marijuana.” This is what else he said to The Daily Beast:
I ask him about his stance on the legalization of marijuana, since he’s a longtime user. “They used to say, ‘You smoke that stuff, boy, you get hooked!” says a chuckling Freeman. “My first wife got me into it many years ago. How do I take it? However it comes! I’ll eat it, drink it, smoke it, snort it! This movement is really a long time coming, and it’s getting legs—longer legs. Now, the thrust is understanding that alcohol has no real medicinal use. Maybe if you have one drink it’ll quiet you down, but two or three and you’re fucked.”
He pauses, and points to the glove-aid jutting out from his left suit sleeve. “Marijuana has many useful uses,” he says. “I have fibromyalgia pain in this arm, and the only thing that offers any relief is marijuana. They’re talking about kids who have grand mal seizures, and they’ve discovered that marijuana eases that down to where these children can have a life. That right there, to me, says, ‘Legalize it across the board!’”
“And what negative effects does it have?” Freeman continues. “Look at Woodstock 1969. They said, ‘We’re not going to bother them or say anything about smoking marijuana,’ and not one problem or fight. Then look at what happened in ’99,” he says, referencing the less marijuana-friendly 30th-anniversary event, which resulted in riots and arrests.
Thanks to Daily Beast for the interview!
