Boxing Legend Mike Tyson Weighs in on Federal Marijuana Legalization
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Mike Tyson, the former boxing champion, revealed that his decision to fight again depends on federal marijuana legalization and rescheduling. Tyson, who has been a vocal advocate for cannabis reform, believes that the plant should be moved from a Schedule I drug to Schedule III, which is considered a less dangerous category of substance.
Tyson, who turned 59 on June 30, said that he agreed to his last fight against YouTuber Jake Paul while under the influence of marijuana. He claimed that he wouldn’t have agreed to the fight if he was sober, as he gets too emotionally invested without cannabis.
“I don’t really believe so. No, I wouldn’t have did that,” Tyson said. “Because without cannabis, I’m getting too involved in my feelings. With cannabis, I’m very objective.”
Tyson is part of a coalition of current and former athletes, including Kevin Durant, Dez Bryant, and Antonio Brown, who have signed a letter to the White House urging President Donald Trump to support federal cannabis reform. The letter calls for the rescheduling of cannabis, clemency for nonviolent marijuana offenses, and an end to discriminatory banking practices related to the cannabis industry.
Tyson believes that rescheduling is the most important goal in the letter, and he is hopeful that Trump will take a new approach to federal marijuana reform. He expressed disappointment with the handling of federal marijuana reform by former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, but is optimistic about Trump’s potential to make a positive change.
Tyson has a long-standing friendship with Trump, dating back to the 1980s, and believes that the President would make good decisions for the country under the influence of marijuana. However, he would never invite Trump to use marijuana with him, as he respects the President’s decision not to use the substance.
In addition to rescheduling, Tyson is also advocating for clemency for nonviolent marijuana offenders. He has seen people get incarcerated for nonviolent marijuana offenses since he was a child and believes that it is a personal priority.
Tyson recalled the first person he met who was incarcerated for a nonviolent marijuana offense, saying, “I know he did a lot of time. I know he went in there when I was a little kid. By the time he came out, I was boxing.”
A recent study by researchers at UC San Francisco found that eating edible cannabis has the same cardiovascular risk as smoking marijuana for long-term users.
