One Republican U.S. Senate tells Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain to “stop using your ketamine stash”, in response to the UK’s recent agreement to transfer authority over a British territory that hosts a joint military facility.
John Kennedy (R) has been critiquing the Labour Party UK Premier KeirStarmer in his recent Senate floor speeches for reaching an agreement with the Mauritian authorities to transfer control over the Chagos Islands. Kennedy called such a decision a security risk given that the base is strategically located.
Kennedy has repeatedly suggested that the decision was made under the influence of cannabis and ketamine—despite the UK party leader’s opposition to marijuana and drug policy policy reform.
He said, “We must stop this deal,” late last month. “President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and Prime Minister Starmer of the United Kingdom need to call him and ask that he stop taking ketamine. Stop smoking the bong. We must have this base for fighting China. Don’t do it.”
Last week, he made the same comment, “I hope the prime minister does well but I want him to stop smoking the bong.” He must put the bong down.
The United States Senate told Keir starmer to “put the bong down” when he appeared on its floor. pic.twitter.com/ZSX4s4DcaO
— Tom Harwood (@tomhfh) February 8, 2025
Moments later, however, he said, “I don’t mean any disrespect,” and he said he “shouldn’t have said the ‘bong’ part. I retract my statement.”
The use of stigmatizing language around cannabis use isn’t especially surprising coming from Kennedy, who has opposed even modest marijuana reform proposals—including the Biden administration’s rescheduling push.
The insult is misdirected, as the PM doesn’t support drug policy reform. In 2023 he said he has “no intentions” to advance laws that legalize or criminalize marijuana.
“Other counties will adopt different approaches than the ones they have traditionally taken, but ours is well-established and has not been a major topic of debate in Labour Party,” said he.
It is not a new thing for politicians to attack marijuana users and suggest that their decisions are negatively affected.
Katie Arrington took on U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in an ad ahead of 2022, accusing her of being “high”.
Trump’s New DEA Leader Has A ‘Just Say No’ Stance On Marijuana, Linking Cannabis Use To Suicide Risk And Schizophrenia
Mike Latimer is the photographer.