By Lucía Tedesco via El Planteo
Far-right political outsider and presidential candidate of Argentina, Javier Milei, discussed drugs and recalled the only time he smoked marijuana in his life. This revelation was made during an interview on Crónica in June 2021.
Milei has been stirring up controversy since he first garnered attention among Argentine voters. His proposals are widely discussed on social media platforms, but what does he think about drugs?
When asked about changing the drug law, Milei clarified his stance on the matter. "I don’t believe in restrictions," he stated. Nevertheless, he elaborated that a lot of it depends on the involvement of the welfare state.
"If there's no welfare state focused on health, do what you want, even if it kills you," he emphatically said. To him, drugs are like "euthanasia in installments," and without state intervention, individuals should bear responsibility for their actions. This perspective might be ideal for a country where every citizen is on an equal footing, equipped with the tools to take responsibility. However, this is not the current situation in Argentina, he argued.
Additionally, Milei shared his view regarding a welfare state intervention: "You get high and I have to foot the bill? That changes things," he said, echoing the sentiment of who should bear the cost.
"When you take drugs, you're ruined and can't do anything worthwhile in life. If you deal with it yourself, it's your problem. But the issue arises when you’re taking from my pocket," explained Milei, often referred to as "el peluca" (the wig). However, he did not provide any scientific evidence to back up his stern assertions, only his personal view.
Milei and Drugs: Recounting the Time He Smoked Weed
The candidate also touched upon his almost non-existent experience with weed. "Have you ever smoked marijuana?" the host asked. To which he replied, "I smoked marijuana once in my life."
Note: turn on English CC to watch this video.
He didn't delve deeper into the experience, but mentioned it happened 25 years ago and he spent the entire time laughing. According to Milei, not everything in his life is about money, yet he consistently emphasizes how much he dislikes anyone "reaching into his pocket." What will he do with those who dare to? Even worse, what actions will he take as president against all those people who, in his words, "are good for nothing in life"?
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Image: Photo via YouTube by Todo Noticias, CC BY-SA 3.0, vía Wikimedia Commons, edited by El Planteo
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