Last Friday was a hellacious day for Elon Musk. After puffing a blunt, sipping whiskey, and wielding a sword on Joe Rogan’s live-stream podcast Thursday evening, Tesla’s stock dropped nine percent and two high-profile executives abruptly quit. Then, on Friday night, Fox Business Insider and CNBC reported that the U.S. Air Force is looking into Musk’s alleged cannabis-use, putting his government security clearance at risk.
On Saturday, Sept. 9, however, Reuters reported the opposite. Captain Hope Cronin, a U.S. Air Force spokesperson, said the media reports stating that Musk’s security clearance was under investigation was inaccurate. Neither CNBC or Fox Business Insider revealed who gave them their scoop.
The Verge also reported that an Air Force official said the claims of an alleged government investigation on Musk’s drug-use was “premature and that the military hasn’t figured out what it’s going to do.”
It’s hard to fathom the backlash that’s occurred, especially in California where the plant is regulated. But Musk is the CEO of SpaceX, which provides satellite launching services to the government. That’s why he has a security clearance. But let us not forget that cannabis is still federally illegal. Thus, cannabis-use is strictly prohibited for those with a security clearance, as well as military personnel.
Musk and Drugs
The SpaceX and Tesla Inc. CEO has been at the center of a string of mishaps over the last several months, sparking concern about potential drug use. And, this most recent episode added to the growing controversy over his behavior. In an intimate interview with the New York Times, Musk said he’s been working upwards of 120-hours a week, causing his friends to worry