Elon Musk is facing more scrutiny over his alleged drug use that was detailed in a Wall Street Journal report — this time over his security clearance as a contractor for the US Department of Defense (DoD).
SpaceX, his aeronautics company, currently holds government contracts. The company is certified to launch military spy satellites, and is currently the only private US contractor allowed to shuttle NASA astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS). For obvious reasons, the DoD prohibits security clearance holders from using drugs.
“Persons who have used drugs in the past may be approved for access to classified information. In accepting a security clearance, however, government employees and contractors also accept an obligation to remain drug free in the future,” according to the policy.
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The report from the Journal revealed that Musk has consumed drugs such as LSD, cocaine, ecstasy, and magic mushrooms. He is also very open about his use of marijuana and prescription for ketamine.
Musk has also criticized the report, saying that he has never failed a drug test. After openly smoking marijuana on Joe Rogan’s podcast in 2018, Musk agreed to NASA’s request for three years of random drug testing. “Not even trace quantities were found of any drugs or alcohol,” he claimed.
According to Fox Business News senior correspondent Charles Gasparino, the reports may push the DoD to put Musk’s security clearance under review, and if allegations are substantiated, the tech billionaire could receive probation on his clearance. It’s unclear how this will impact SpaceX’s work for the government, or if the DoD can afford to have his clearance on probation. Either way, no review has been initiated as of this writing.
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