Cabinet minister Michael Gove has confessed to experimenting with cannabis during his student days.
He, however, added that he didn’t experience intense effects, attributing this to the lower potency of the drug in the 1980s.
In an interview with Times Radio podcast, Gove alluded to a societal shift in the public’s curiosity about politicians’ past drug use.
Simultaneously, he expressed his concerns about the increased potency of currently illegal substances.
When queried about his drug use during his time at Oxford University, Gove confessed, “Indeed, I did,” explaining it was a common part of many students’ university life.
Speaking as the head of community affairs, Gove noted, “Without delving too deep into the policy aspect, I believe that the kind of marijuana available now typically contains a much higher THC content, significantly increasing the potential for harm.”
When further probed about whether his university drug experiences were less intense, Gove simply responded, “No.”
Gove then conveyed his apprehensions about the implications of cannabis use.
He highlighted that the correlation between heavy cannabis consumption or over ingestion of cannabinoids and mental disorders like psychosis is becoming increasingly clear.
Alongside cannabis, Gove has previously admitted to cocaine use on several occasions, voicing his regrets after this information became public in a biography of the senior Tory member.
“I did consume drugs. This is a decision I deeply regret. Drugs ruin lives. They pose a threat, and it was a misstep,” he confessed to the Daily Mail.
As the minister for levelling up, Gove announced in March a government ban on the sale of nitrous oxide, colloquially known as “hippy crack,” under Rishi Sunak’s leadership, to deter the transformation of public spaces into drug-consuming zones.
When questioned in March if his drug warnings were hypocritical, Gove responded, “No. It’s because I’ve recognized that it’s an error – worse, a grievous error – to perceive drug use as somehow acceptable.”
