The Pentagon is reviewing Elon Musk’s security clearance after he smoked marijuana live on a podcast in September.
Bloomberg reported Thursday that the executive’s clearance is being examined by the Pentagon after Musk, who is the CEO of SpaceX, was seen smoking pot on the “Joe Rogan Experience” last September. Musk has clearance because SpaceX provides services to the U.S. government.
The incident caused pushback from both the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the U.S. Air Force. Marijuana use is not permitted for individuals with government security clearances.
In November, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said that Musk assured him there would be no more antics like the one on Rogan’s show.
“I will tell you, he is as committed to safety as anybody, and he understands that that was not appropriate behavior, and you won’t be seeing that again,” Bridenstine told reporters at the time.
Shortly after Musk smoked in September, a former top official at the Drug Enforcement Agency urged then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions to investigate whether he broke any federal laws, according to a letter obtained by the Washington Examiner.
Despite being illegal at the federal level, Musk did not break state law after smoking pot on Rogan’s show. Marijuana use became legal in California on Jan. 1 of last year.
