Joycelyn Elders - Post-Governmental Activities

Post-Governmental Activities

Since leaving her post as surgeon general, she has returned to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences as professor of pediatrics. She is a regular on the lecture circuit, speaking against teen pregnancy. She has appeared on TV in Penn and Teller: Bullshit! during the episode on abstinence, where she says that she considers abstinence-only programs to be child abuse and discusses her opinions on teenage sex education, masturbation and contraceptives.

Elders wrote a book in an attempt to present her side of the controversies that surrounded her during her 18-month tenure as surgeon general.

In an October 15, 2010 article she clearly voiced support for legalization of marijuana:

"I think we consume far more dangerous drugs that are legal: cigarette smoking, nicotine and alcohol," said Joycelyn Elders, the former surgeon general and a supporter of the measure. "I feel they cause much more devastating effects physically. We need to lift the prohibition on marijuana."