Former Estonian President Ilves tried cannabis at university: 'It affects short-term memory'

Former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves revealed in a podcast interview that he tried cannabis during his university years. Ilves, who lived in the United States for many years, said he would not oppose legalisation but stressed that psychotropic substances are best avoided as they damage the brain.

Former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who served as head of state from 2006 to 2016, has openly admitted to trying cannabis during his university years. Speaking in a podcast focused primarily on foreign policy, Ilves touched on the topic of cannabis towards the end of the conversation.

Ilves, who spent many years living in the United States, said that his personal experience with cannabis left him unimpressed — specifically because of the substance's effect on short-term memory. «Since it affects short-term memory, I thought I didn't want any more of it,» he explained.

Despite his negative personal experience, the former president indicated he would not be opposed to the legalisation of cannabis. At the same time, he emphasised that psychotropic substances are generally better avoided, as all of them cause harm to the brain to some degree.

Ilves is known for his long association with the United States, having studied and worked there before entering Estonian politics. His candid remarks about cannabis add a personal dimension to the ongoing public debate in Estonia and across Europe about drug policy reform.