Cannabis enthusiasts may have been lured to an online story that purports scientists have discovered a new planet completely covered in marijuana. Alas, it is not so.
The story, posted Feb. 4 on the blog ehealthdigest.org, has been on the internet since at least May 2015.
The story was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)
Let’s be clear: No, NASA has not discovered a planet covered in marijuana.
If such a thing did happen, it would be national news and not simply a regurgitated report on a few obscure blogs.
The story has been repeatedly debunked. The planet that was supposedly discovered — Planet X637Z-43 — even has its own hoax Wikipedia page.
The post attempts to make the claim appear slightly credible but falls short in several areas, especially when quoting Harvard astronomer David Charbonneau as saying, “Imagine if it takes 140 years to travel from one planet to another, let’s just say it’s going to be a very long trip. You better have rolled yourself a couple of joints for the road.”
We reached out to Charbonnaeu but did not immediately hear back.
This is full on Pants on Fire!
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Statement
NASA has discovered a new planet covered with marijuana
Context
a storySpeaker/Target
Statement Date
Our Sources
Ehealthdigest.org, NASA Has Discovered A New Planet Covered With Marijuana, Feb. 4, 2019
Inquisitr.com, NASA Discovers New Planet Covered With Marijuana, ‘Weed Planet’ Hoax Goes Viral, May 25, 2017
International Business Times, Hilarious hoaxes: Fake news stories that will make you wonder what NASA's been smoking! April 17, 2017
Snopes, NASA Discovers New Planet Covered with Marijuana, May 2015
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