Marijuana is more accepted than ever nowadays. All kinds of people from college students to senior citizens now use marijuana, whether it’s simply for fun or to help with a range of serious physical and medical conditions. However, while celebrities admitting to marijuana use today wouldn’t turn any heads, there are many old school celebrities you probably didn’t know used marijuana.
Back in the days, there was a lot of negative stigma around marijuana. However, that doesn’t mean that some of the world’s biggest stars didn’t see its potential. Many major celebrities used marijuana secretly, and some even advocated marijuana legalization decades before it became a reality. Here are five old school celebrities you probably didn’t know used marijuana.
1. David Bowie
It probably doesn’t come as too much of a surprise that Davie Bowie was a marijuana lover, especially when you consider the company he kept. Not to mention that many of his albums are perfect listening material when you’re high. However, while many musicians had big reputations for their weed-smoking tendencies, David Bowie wasn’t widely reported for his marijuana use.
Bowie even got into legal trouble for cannabis possession. In 1976, after a show in Rochester, N.Y., David Bowie was arrested at his hotel when police found him and his friends in possession of half a pound of marijuana. Interestingly, one of these friends was The Stooges frontman Iggy Pop.
Fortunately, Bowie was swiftly able to pay off his bonds and go back to touring before returning to Rochester a few days later, on 4/20 no less, to plead his case. He never faced charges and the incident led to one of the most stylish celebrity mugshots of all time.
2. Carl Sagan
Many curious-minded stoners have probably watched a few Carl Sagan documentaries during their smoking sessions. The world-renowned astronomer was famous for his ability to explain complex concepts in a relaxed and easy-to-digest manner, making him particularly popular with the pot-smoking crowd.
However, while many knew him for his works such as Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, you might not have known that he was also a serious marijuana lover. Sagan even wrote a personal essay in the book Marijuana Reconsidered discussing how much weed positively influenced his life. However, due to the negative stigma surrounding the drug, he wrote it under the name Mr. X.
In his essay, Sagan noted that the conscious-altering effects of marijuana helped expand his mind whereas the sensory-enhancements it offers helped with his appreciation of music and art and even helped his sex life. It’s no wonder that many of his greatest quotes sound like weed-fueled revelations. If you ever need an example to disprove the dumb, lazy stoner stereotype, Sagan is one of the best examples out there.
3. Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe is another one of the most famous old school celebrities you probably didn’t know used marijuana. The quintessential American pin-up girl was famous for her acting, modeling, singing, and her personal life. But while it was widely known that she used narcotics, many people don’t know she was a stoner.
Monroe’s marijuana use was a well-kept secret for a very long time. However, in the late 2000s, a home video of Marilyn Monroe smoking a joint was sold for a whopping $275,000. The video can now be seen online, and the maker of the video confirmed it was a get-together where they smoked cannabis.
This isn’t Marilyn Monroe’s only impact on the world of weed. There’s also an indica-dominant marijuana strain named after the celebrity. Appropriately enough, the Marilyn Monroe strain is a cross between JFK and Mother’s Finest and offers relaxing and euphoric effects.
4. Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby was one of the biggest stars- if not the biggest- of the 1900s. Born in 1903, Bing Crosby had a career that spanned over five decades and included major achievements in the film, TV, and music industries along with various other endeavors.
Back in the days, marijuana wasn’t as widely accepted as it is now and celebrities often came along as more straight-laced. But while Bing Crosby was known to many as the family-friendly singer of Christmas songs and the 1948 “most admired man alive”, you probably didn’t know he was also a huge advocate of marijuana.
According to biography Gary Giddins, Bing Crosby had problems with alcohol when he was younger and turned to marijuana instead, and even recommended it to his son. He also supported marijuana legalization in a TV interview with Barbara Walters in 1977. Interestingly, he was said to have been introduced to marijuana by Louis Armstrong.
5. Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman is a legend in the film industry. Known for his captivating voice and exceptional acting chops, the actor is often revered for his work in films such as Driving Miss Daisy and The Shawshank Redemption, among many others. But while he’s known for his acting and wise words, many people don’t know that Freeman is also a marijuana advocate.
The actor/director has made it clear that he supports the legalization of marijuana and believes in its therapeutic potential. He even uses it himself to help with pain relief- especially as he suffers from chronic pain due to fibromyalgia. He claims that marijuana is the only thing that offers relief for his symptoms.
He also admitted that his marijuana use stems many years and he’s tried many methods of consumption from smoking Marijuana Flower to eating Marijuana Edibles. He’s one of many great examples that marijuana can help users tackle hard-to-treat conditions while simultaneously offering a sensational experience.
Conclusion
From Bing Crosby to Carl Sagan to Morgan Freeman, it seems that major stars from various industries and all walks of life agreed that marijuana is an incredible substance. Whether it’s for recreational use or to tackle various symptoms, marijuana can help all kinds of people in many ways.
While many of these celebrities had to hide their marijuana use, it’s now easier than ever to partake. Not only is marijuana now legal across Canada (and various U.S. states), but you can even buy it online. If you want to grab some high-quality marijuana strains, concentrates, edibles, and more, just visit BudExpressNow.
