When we think of cannabis advocates, some familiar names come to mind: Willie, Rihanna and Snoop, of course. However, there are less conspicuous joint smokers who are just as passionate about weed. Today we are going to be checking out five celebrities that you would never have suspected to be pro-weed.
Cannabis advocates are sometimes amazing. Sometimes those you thought were defending your weed use turn out to be against it, while those who may seem backward on the weed turn out to be savvy cannabis advocates.
In popular culture, there are real weed icons – those whose activism is matched only by their use. However, there are many celebrities who support or consume cannabis, but less openly than Snoop Dogg and Willie Nelson.
Here we take a look at the top 5 celebrities you would never imagine to be pro-weed. These people might not be the first people to come to mind when you think of cannabis icons, but after reading this list, you’ll have a new group of celebrity pot smokers to admire.
1. Barack Obama
Having spoken frankly about his past cannabis use, former US President Barack Obama is familiar with cigarettes that make people laugh. In fact, Obama was apparently even a cannabinoid faddist during his high school years in Hawaii, inventing a practice known as TA or “Total Absorption”. This simply involves holding smoke in the lungs until a maximum amount of THC is absorbed into the body. Once this is done, you then have the President’s permission to blow.
Even more surprisingly, Obama was a frequent breaker of joint circles, bypassing the joint spinning rule to intercept joints when no one was paying attention. Not really his most presidential characteristic, but an always amusing anecdote.
Nowadays, Obama might not (openly) use cannabis, he remains lenient on its possession and use. In addition to forgiving individuals incarcerated for minor drug-related offenses, Obama advocates a view of cannabis on the same level as cigarettes and alcohol. In an end-of-term interview in 2016, Obama expressly forbade the promotion of substance abuse, while suggesting a government approach to drug use as a public health issue and not a crime.
No longer part of the “Choom Gang,” which used to gather to play basketball and smoke weed, Obama is an unlikely icon whose popularity is growing under the current more conservative political regime.
2. Madonna
The American singer Madonna is not one controversial figure short of a controversy and yet she has never attracted attention as a cannabis advocate. Having kept her cannabis habits under wraps, “Madonna” is one of the many artists who use weed as a form of smokable inspiration.
In a recent interview, Madonna admitted that she smoked a joint before appearing in a swear-word-filled episode of The Tonight Show with David Letterman. One of the best tools for mentally blocking paparazzi and critics, weed has probably been an ally during Material Girl’s decades-long career.
Madonna’s influence on the world of pop music is virtually unparalleled. With a commitment to reinventing her sound and style, she embodies the image of the dynamic and successful joint smoker. As she approaches her 60th birthday. Madonna continues to record and release albums, while selling high-energy live performances around the world.
Recently, Madonna’s biggest wave in the world of weed involves her 16-year-old son, Rocco. The teenager was arrested for cannabis possession in London and has since sparked a media storm. However, in typical Madonna fashion, the singer made a quiet statement expressing her love and support for her son, while demanding privacy from fans and media alike.
3. Sting
In 2010, police leader and activist Sting wrote a column for the Huffington Post entitled “Ending the War on Drugs. In addition to the engaged title, readers were attracted by the odd choice of author for this article. To the surprise of some, Sting seemed to be disturbed by the lack of access that patients have to medical cannabis products.
As if that wasn’t enough to clarify his defense of cannabis, Sting also admitted using cannabis for creative inspiration. In a 2014 interview published in Rolling Stone, Sting told author Ryan Reed, “If I get stuck on words or an idea that doesn’t come out, sometimes a whiff of weed is enough to set them free. “However, he also mentions not being a social smoker. He prefers to use cannabis as an artistic tool, “just like a pen is.
In 2011, Sting was included in an open letter to Prime Minister David Cameron to decriminalize drug possession. The singer said, “Giving young people a criminal record for minor drug possessions serves no purpose – it’s time to think of more imaginative ways to deal with drug use in our society.
Sting’s musical style is influenced by the cultures of the world, which is also shown by his involvement in various human rights campaigns, post-disaster relief efforts and environmental crises.
Beyond his new status as a cannabis icon and advocate for medical cannabis, Sting has an impressive musical career, having won multiple Grammys for his work with Police and his solo career.
4. Michael Phelps
That one of the greatest athletes of all time is a joint smoker shows the intrinsic safety of cannabis. Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time, a true American sports “hero”.
In 2009, during a visit to the University of South Carolina, Phelps was photographed taking a puff of what appeared to be a friend’s bong. Phelps later confirmed in interviews that the substance he was smoking was indeed weed. As with all disproportionate media responses, Phelps lost sponsors (Kellogg’s) and was suspended by the U.S. Swimming Federation for a symbolic three months.
More than anything else, Phelps suffered from media and fan criticism in the months that followed. However, the years passed and Phelps went on to compete in two more Olympic Games. The scandal finally died down once the athlete won a total of 28 Olympic medals.
What is interesting about Phelps’ “scandal” is that he never failed a drug test. In fact, the swimmer voluntarily participates in an organization known as Project Believe, which tests athletes more often than required by international regulations. In fact, Phelps has never risked his career by consuming weed, he has simply used his off-season time to enjoy a puff or two on a bong. You can’t blame him for that!
While Phelps also struggled with alcoholism and depression, he also invested $1,000,000 in the Michael Phelps Foundation, which promotes a healthy lifestyle for young athletes and swimmers.
5. Morgan Freeman
If you had to guess which legendary and respected actor said “I would eat it, drink it, smoke it, sniff it! “about weed, chances are Morgan Freeman is not the first person you thought of. Believe it or not, Freeman is an open defender of cannabis. In 2003, the actor said in a famous quote, “Never give up ganja” and he has been an outspoken supporter of the enhancing effects of weed on his fibromyalgia ever since.
As a true free man true to his name, he speaks of the growing reality of cannabis legalization and the fact that it is becoming increasingly clear that the medical benefits of weed far outweigh any benefits provided by drugs such as alcohol.
Freeman comes from a generation of actors who seem to become increasingly conservative with age. But the iconoclastic star seems to open himself up to new opportunities and scientific developments with each passing year. Perhaps this is why he is one of the most beloved actors and voice actors of our time. Just hearing his warm and confident voice is an indication of Freeman’s open-minded approach to his career and private life.
The actor claims that he started smoking pot under the influence of his wife. Subsequently, Freeman became a committed fan and consumer, openly using cannabis while pursuing a truly unique career.
Honorable Mentions
Not all cannabis supporters are necessarily consumers. Take the Dalai Lama for example, who does not reject weed, even though he is forbidden to smoke. While he firmly declares abstinence from all drugs and alcohol, he admits that using cannabis for medical reasons is indeed within the reach of more experienced health practitioners.
The presenter of television travel shows and embodiment of the ordinary man is one of the most astonishing supporters of the legalization of cannabis. More than just an advocate, Rick Steves is surprisingly a frequent pot smoker, who says, “I’ve used cannabis all over the world.
Celebrated poet Maya Angelou is considered one of the most powerful voices of her generation with works such as “I know Why The Caged Bird Sings”, and Angelou also happened to be a heavy pot smoker in her youth, as were many other authors and artists of her time.
More Supporters In The Shadow
Getting celebrities to support cannabis has not been a quick or easy process in past decades. Until recently, weed was still widely banned around the world and risked damaging the career of those who openly defended it. However, now that cannabis is becoming more widely available and perhaps even an iconic aesthetic for celebrities like Rihanna and Willie Nelson, there is a greater chance that supporters will “come out of the closet” by admitting that they have actually been loving weed all along.
