Smoking pot is not the gasp-inducing, hardcore past time it was once considered to be. Weed for medicinal use has been legalized in Canada since 2001, and they are on their way to legalizing recreational use. In the US, 29 states permit medicinal marijuana, and nine say it’s okay to light up without a prescription. A Gallup poll from last year revealed that 64 percent of Americans support legalization, and the numbers are only going up. Everyone from the republican grandmother next door to the most popular college professor has dabbled in the stuff, and celebrities are no different. Here are 11 celebrities who have proclaimed their support of the hemp plant, some might surprise you:
1. Melissa Etheridge
The award-winning singer and songwriter has put her activism skills to the test as she voices her opinion on the controversial issue of legalizing marijuana. Etheridge, who suffered from breast cancer in 2005, is an advocate for the medicinal properties of the drug. After experiencing first-hand how revolutionary cannabis was in alleviating her symptoms, Etheridge decided she had to do her part to make it a more well-known remedy. Today, she continues to be an outspoken supporter of legalization and has her own brand of cannabis-related products, called Etheridge Farms.
2. Sarah Palin
Although this politician has a reputation for being a strict conservative, she has been candid and open with her views about marijuana. Palin has even admitted to smoking pot in the past. She cited marijuana as being a “minimal problem” during an interview with Fox Business Network, proclaiming that law enforcement officials should focus their energy elsewhere. She said that as long as people were smoking in their homes and not causing harm to anyone else, that police should focus on other issues that plague society.
3. Dalai Lama
The Buddhist leader has proclaimed support for the medicinal use of marijuana. He recognizes that the drug does have certain components that can relieve the ill from the symptoms they are suffering from their diseases. He supports the medicinal use of marijuana and wishes that others would “support the science” as he told TIME magazine during an interview in 2014.
4. Seth Rogen
Though he is best known for playing the lovable stoner in popular comedy’s, Seth Rogen supports cannabis off the screen too. Rogen told Playboy Magazine in 2009 that Los Angeles police officers wrote a court summons for him when they caught the actor smoking marijuana on the beach. To this Canadian native, and fellow cannabis activists out there, marijuana is a lesser problem when compared to other crimes. Rogen often speaks up about his use of cannabis and uses his wit and hilarity to try to help others understand and be more comfortable with it. He was named Stoner of the Year in 2007 by High Times for his bold confessions and work to end oppositional stigma.
5. Danny DeVito
Bigtime movie star and comedian, Danny DeVito has been a stoner in Hollywood since the 70’s. According to fellow actor Michael Douglas, the two bonded over marijuana while at drama school in New York. DeVito has been open about his use and has even admitted that he and his wife are regular smokers. His support of the drug has been well known, but DeVito still cautions users to smoke responsibly. In his opinion, the decriminalization of cannabis holds substantial economic and social benefit for the US and he wishes to see his vision become reality.
6. Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman is a successful award-winning actor and home to a voice that could soothe any crowd, but that is not all he is known for. In recent years, the Oscar-winner has been a prominent advocate for legalization, opening up about his marijuana use and how it has helped to alleviate his pain. Almost a decade ago, Freeman was involved in a motor vehicle accident that did horrible damage to nerves in his arm. Since the accident, the actor wears a compression glove and regularly uses marijuana to ease pain. He has been an avid supporter of the drug, and consumes it in all forms. Freeman has cited cannabis as the only thing that helps him with his fibromyalgia.
7. Miley Cyrus
At the forefront of any legalization rally lies the staunch supporter, Miley Cyrus. The child star has been very open about her use of the drug and has admitted to being high during many of her concerts. She has been extremely vocal about her use. Cyrus can often be seen on stage in an outfit inspired by her favorite drug. Marijuana leaves and symbols are bejeweled and embroidered onto her stage costumes. She even lit up a joint while on stage during the European MTV Music Awards.
8. Rihanna
The Barbadian singer and songwriter is another celebrity who has voiced their opinion on the matter. She often features marijuana in her social media posts, clothing, and even boldly showcased it on one of her album covers where she is puffing smoke in a black and white picture. She has been photographed publicly smoking a joint numerous times by the paparazzi, and often tweets support for the drug.
9. Bernie Sanders
Sen. Bernie Sanders is not shy when it comes to showing his support for marijuana. Just last month, he cosponsored Sen. Cory Booker’s legalization bill. The bill is said to expunge the record of those convicted of marijuana possession, and other related crimes, in addition to legalizing the use of the drug. With this recent backing, Sanders continues his advocacy for the drug.
10. Snoop Dogg
The famed rapper does not shy away from aligning himself with marijuana and its advocates. In fact, he is probably one of its most prominent supporters. He partnered with Canopy Growth Corp., a Canadian medicinal marijuana grower, to produce three strands of cannabis. The brand, which is sold under the name “Leafs by Snoop”, went on the market in October. With this pioneering, the rapper has only further affirmed his support.
11. Jack Nicholson
Though The Shining actor does not tend to openly discuss his position on the subject, he frankly stated in an interview with the U.K.’s Daily Mail that he thinks legalization would be good for the country in an economic sense. He held tight to the drug’s curative capabilities and alluded that taxpayers’ dollars currently put towards jailing marijuana users would be better spent elsewhere.
Celebrities can influence consumers like no other force. As more and more of them come out about their marijuana use and extend efforts to normalize the drug, it is likely that their fans will do the same. With growing statistics and polls showing an increased number of Americans leaning towards decriminalization, how long will it be before the US follows in Canada’s footsteps and begins the movement to legalize?
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