Will Neil Young’s Marijuana Use Keep Him From Becoming a U.S. Citizen?

Neil Young had a certain birthday present in mind this year: United States citizenship.

Everything seemed to be in place for him to take his oath on Tuesday, his 74th birthday, the Canadian singer told The Los Angeles Times last month. Amid what he called a “climate emergency,” he was looking forward to voting in the 2020 presidential election.

But Young’s marijuana use, something he has been open about for years, may stand in the way.

In general, someone applying for citizenship risks failing the government’s “good moral character” test if he illegally uses drugs. In April, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services clarified its policies, saying that applicants “involved in certain marijuana related activities” — even in states where the drug is legal, like Young’s current residence of California — may lack good moral character since marijuana use remains, in most instances, illegal under federal law.

“When I recently applied for American citizenship, I passed the test,” Young wrote on his website Friday. “It was a conversation where I was asked many questions. I answered them truthfully and passed.” [Read more at The New York Times]