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Comment by dns_snek | Hacker News Reader

Hold on, there's a world of difference between recreational drug "use" and having a drug "problem". It seems like Musk is engaging in the former while being painted as having a "problem". And I say that as someone who dislikes him a lot for his other antics.

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Yea, I’m a downright Elon-hater. I could not care less if business leaders use drugs responsibly. This is the wrong tree to bark up, an utter distraction when Elon’s actual meaningful behaviors and decisions are so objectionable.

It's good that you don't care, but we are a soceity of laws, and we need to apply them equally. If it's ok for business leaders to use responsibility then we need to make it ok for everyone, and free those that have been encarcerated for such. Many people that work for these companies must submit for drug testing. Where is your sense of right?

Yes, let’s free the incarcerated, absolutely!

In my opinion, drug testing should only required for certain roles (like driving or operating machinery). And it should only look for active intoxication.

Agreed on your second point. Well put.

Some of those things are legal in certain places and circumstances. Coke isn't really either, ever. Especially for an officer of several public companies, some of which have big government contracts.

If the CEO of Boeing or Raytheon was acting this way, would we be acting differently?

To be clear, the WSJ article linked here states that people are worried he has a problem.

Using before going on stage for work is not recreational, it's a problem.

I would look at the behaviors and decisions made by the CEOs of Boeing and Raytheon. If they meet my expectations I would excuse the substance use.

If it’s a problem, it’s a minor problem, not justifying the attention. Elon has a lot of major problems that this distracts from, and creates the suspicion of a media bias against him, which is harmful.

Would employees of their companies, who must do drug tests, be given the same leniency?

In my opinion, it should depend on their role. And only look for active intoxication.

(Separately, regarding business and political leaders in particular) I’m not in favor of the “blackmail vulnerability” arguments in this discussion. Substance use should not be stigmatized.

I agree with your first point, that makes sense.

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