Mike Tyson Slams Cannabis Myths, Pushes for Federal Legalization

Boxing icon Mike Tyson is throwing punches outside the ring, this time advocating for cannabis reform with a fiery passion. The 59-year-old heavyweight legend took to social media this weekend to slam the outdated narratives surrounding legal marijuana, calling out the absurdity of claims that it would unleash 'mass chaos' or leave streets reeking. "It’s about freedom," Tyson declared, arguing that adults deserve the right to choose, just as they do with cigarettes and alcohol.

Tyson’s frustration is palpable as he points out the real winners in the current mess: cartels and human traffickers. Until federal legalization happens, he argues, these criminal networks will continue to profit while communities suffer. His push for reform isn’t just talk—he’s part of a powerhouse coalition, including stars like Kevin Durant and Allen Iverson, that recently penned a letter to the White House urging a reclassification of marijuana. The goal? Move it from a category suggesting high abuse potential with no medical value to one acknowledging its moderate risk and benefits.

For Tyson, this fight is personal. He’s been vocal about how cannabis helped keep him out of trouble, and he’s haunted by childhood memories of community members locked up for nonviolent marijuana offenses. One story hits hard: a neighbor jailed when Tyson was a kid, not released until he was already a famed fighter. Alongside reclassification, he’s pushing for mass clemency for those still paying the price for outdated laws.

Yet, the debate isn’t without its jabs. A recent study from UC San Francisco, published in JAMA Cardiology, warns that long-term cannabis use—whether smoked or eaten as edibles—carries cardiovascular risks due to impaired blood vessel function. It’s a reminder that even as reform gains traction, the conversation around health impacts remains critical.

Tyson’s crusade is more than a personal vendetta; it’s a call to rethink a system that’s long overdue for a knockout. Will the federal government step into the ring, or will the status quo land another low blow?