Alex Lifeson, the guitarist for prog-rock titans Rush, recently quit cannabis before the band's final tour, joining a growing list of musicians who have publicly abandoned or reduced their marijuana use. Rolling Stone compiled a feature examining ten artists across genres who either quit weed or attempted to do so.
The list spans generations and musical styles. Miley Cyrus gave up marijuana after a 2019 house fire, citing health concerns. Willie Nelson, the outspoken cannabis advocate and longtime user, has discussed moderating his consumption despite his cultural association with weed. Paul McCartney, who consumed cannabis throughout the Beatles era and beyond, has been more circumspect about his current habits. SZA, the R&B virtuoso, has spoken about quitting to improve her mental health and creative output.
The feature reflects a broader cultural shift within the music industry. For decades, recreational drug use functioned as a near-mythic component of rock and pop mythology. The counterculture aesthetics of the 1960s and 70s normalized cannabis consumption among musicians, and the substance became entangled with artistic credibility and rebellion.
Now artists cite practical concerns: cognitive clarity, vocal performance, athletic regimen demands, and mental health management. Lifeson's decision before Rush's grueling tour schedule speaks to these pragmatic calculations. Touring demands endurance that many musicians now recognize conflicts with heavy marijuana use.
The shift also reflects destigmatization. When cannabis becomes legal and normalized, the transgressive appeal diminishes. Artists no longer need intoxication as a marker of authenticity. They can quit publicly without sacrificing credibility, and many frame sobriety as a choice supporting their craft rather than abandonment of artistic identity.
Rolling Stone's compilation underscores how musician relationships with cannabis have transformed from romantic rebellion into personal health decisions. The substance remains culturally prevalent, but the mythology has shifted from celebration to pragmatism.