NASA Admin Says : Musk Will Adhere To A Drug-and-Alcohol-Free Workforce Policy

NASA has expressed its dismay at Elon Musk’s recent behavior on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast when the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla smoked marijuana and drank whiskey during the taped interview.

Earlier this month The Washington Post reported that NASA had ordered reviews of workplace culture in both SpaceX and Boeing following the podcast of featuring Musk went public. 

While NASA didn’t admit that was the reason for the review it did hint that they wanted to make sure SpaceX employees weren’t partying in the job.

"[The agency] will be conducting a cultural assessment study in coordination with our commercial partners to ensure the companies are meeting NASA’s requirements for workplace safety, including the adherence to a drug-free environment."

NASA reviews both SpaceX and Boeing

NASA has contracts with both Boeing and SpaceX. The contract requires both companies to “maintain a program for achieving a drug-and-alcohol-free workforce.” 

They also require the companies to conduct “pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, random, post-accident, and periodic recurring testing of contractor employees in sensitive positions for use, in violation of applicable law or federal regulation, of alcohol or a controlled substance.” 

Musk's behavior didn't inspire confidence says NASA administrator

Smoking marijuana is legal in California where the podcast was filmed so Musk wasn’t breaking any legal rules however it seems NASA doesn’t see the behavior as particularly inspiring.

Speaking at a meeting of reporters at NASA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., Bridenstine said that Musk’s behavior was reckless:

“I will tell you that was not helpful, and that did not inspire confidence, and the leaders of these organizations need to take that as an example of what to do when you lead an organization that’s going to launch American astronauts.” 

Musk has previously admitted he needs Ambien to get to sleep and recently started a side project trying to create his own tequila line.

A move that appears at least for now to be blocked by a contest over naming rights. Musk’s use of weed was the subject of much debate when he tweeted that he had plans to take Tesla public with a suggested share price of $420. 

Work hard play hard seems to be Musk's motto

420 is a number commonly associated with marijuana use and communities. Musk publicly advocates for an incredibly tough work regime. 

In a recent Tweet, Musk suggested that working 80+ hours a week is necessary if you plan on making an impact on the world.

Maintaining that work schedule it’s no surprise that Musk likes to indulge in his rare time off.