Over two-thirds of physicians believe marijuana has medical uses, according to peer-reviewed research. Patient data is even more supportive, with a 2024 survey of U.S. adults revealing 88% believe marijuana should be legal for medical and/or recreational purposes (that means only one in ten Americans believe marijuana should be completely prohibited!).
However, while these results suggest physicians and patients are catching up to the amazing benefits of medical cannabis, Hollywood stars have been ahead of the curve for years – with countless celebrities promoting the healing power of marijuana for nearly a century.
Read on to learn why some of pop culture’s biggest names are some of marijuana’s biggest fans!
Louis Armstrong
One of marijuana’s earliest advocates, jazz great Louis Armstrong tried cannabis for the first time in the 1920s. Talking with biographer Max Jones, Armstrong explained:
“We always looked at pot as a sort of medicine…”
A lifelong cannabis supporter, Armstrong often expressed frustration with the plant’s illegal status:
“It really puzzles me to see marijuana connected with narcotics, dope, and all of that stuff. It is a thousand times better than whiskey. It is an assistant and a friend.”
Recent research suggests Armstrong was onto something. Check out CannaMD‘s earlier article, More Medical Cannabis = Less Alcohol, Study Finds, to learn more!
Roseanne Barr
Love her or hate her, there’s no denying actress Roseanne Barr has been a staunch supporter of marijuana from day one. In fact, Barr believes in marijuana’s benefits so much that she’s set to open her own medical cannabis dispensary!
“I’m proud to be a cultural pioneer at the forefront of another wave of progress! And we’re proud of the city of Santa Ana as we continue to move into the era of recognizing cannabis as the natural, therapeutic, herbal substance medical science has proven it to be.”
Pete Davidson
Pop culture touchstone Pete Davidson has had his fair share of public struggles (and girlfriends!). But what many people don’t realize is that Davidson struggles with Crohn’s disease – and that, often, marijuana is the only thing that helps:
“Weed would be the only thing that would help me eat because my stomach would be in pain all day.”
Melissa Etheridge
Speaking with CNBC, Grammy winner Melissa Etheridge shares her passion for medical cannabis:
“I went through my own health crisis, I went through breast cancer. I went through the chemotherapy and all the collateral damage. And I used medicinal cannabis to ease those… the appetite, depression, sleep… I used it for so many things. And I thought this is such good medicine and I really wanted to bring it to the rest of the world – not just people who are familiar with cannabis culture, but those who are really looking for an alternative to pharmaceutical [medication].”
Etheridge also voiced her support in Forbes, arguing:
“[C]annabis really needs to be taken seriously as a medicine as it was 70 years ago. It was on all of our pharmacy shelves 70 years ago. It’s just a shame that prohibition has kept it from people who could really use it as medicine.”
To learn more about the science backing Etheridge’s claims, see: Marijuana & Breast Cancer: Studies Patients Should Know.
Jane Fonda
Hollywood legend Jane Fonda is known for her political activism; but she’s also a vocal supporter of cannabis, which she uses to treat osteoarthritis:
“I use a pen that limits how many doses you get, which is way better than taking sleeping pills. But I was never majorly into pot, to tell you the truth. However, I have osteoarthritis, so things that help with pain and inflammation are good.”
Morgan Freeman
Academy Award winning actor Morgan Freeman represents the views of patients across the country when addressing his experience with cannabis:
“Marijuana has many useful uses. I have fibromyalgia pain in this arm, and the only thing that offers any relief is marijuana. They’re talking about kids who have grand mal seizures, and they’ve discovered that marijuana eases that down to where these children can have a life. That right there, to me, says, ‘Legalize it across the board!’”
For more patient stories, see CannaMD‘s post: Fibromyalgia Success with Cannabis.
Whoopi Goldberg
Seeking relief from glaucoma, talk show host Whoopi Goldberg turned to marijuana. The results were overwhelmingly positive:
“The vape pen has changed my life. No, I’m not exaggerating. In fact, her name is Sippy. Yes, she’s a she. And yes, I named her Sippy because I take tiny, little sips – sassy sips, even – from her. And with each sip comes relief – from pressure, pain, stress, discomfort.”
Summarizing her cannabis experience, Goldberg notes:
“[I]t‘s important for people to know that there are alternatives out there to pain management, and this one is particularly magical.”
Wiz Khalifa
It’s no secret rapper Wiz Khalifia is a big marijuana fan. Of particular interest for Florida patients, in 2022 Trulieve started carrying Khalifa’s cannabis products, Khalifa Kush.
Between his celebrity popularity and longstanding commitment to cannabis, it’s no surprise that The Source has stated:
“Wiz Khalifa is the advocate medical cannabis needs.”
Jason Mraz
Grammy-award-winning singer-songwriter Jason Mraz is known for many things – and, following his 2020 interview in High Times – supporting marijuana is one of them!
“Cannabis is something I found when I was eighteen and it’s been my companion, my herbal ally ever since. For me, alcohol wasn’t sustainable. It didn’t really help me remember the “now” moment or truly be in the “now,” and I always felt a bit hungover. With cannabis, there was this magic grace, where every morning I woke up and felt great.”
Susan Sarandon
Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon has been a vocal proponent of medical marijuana for years, arguing:
“It’s absurd that more states haven’t legalized it. Economically, it makes such sense for the infrastructure of a state to have that kind of income. It can be an important source of revenue. You also see the reports on kids who have seizures that are prevented by medical marijuana. You see the relief it gives to vets.”
To review some of the reports Sarandon referenced, check out: Marijuana & Epilepsy Studies.
Patrick Stewart
You may know actor Patrick Stewart from Star Trek. But did you know he’s also open about how much medical marijuana has improved his quality of life?
“I mean, my main problem is my hands don’t work very well. But thanks to cannabis, they work much better than they used to. Thanks to the law in California now, it’s just a spray that I put on.”
Didn’t know marijuana comes in topical forms? Learn more with CannaMD‘s earlier article: Topical Cannabis Gel Relieves Arthritis Pain!
Mike Tyson
When not fighting Jake Paul, boxing legend Mike Tyson focuses on his 40-acre “cannabis resort” in California, designed to grow high-grade cannabis and advance medical marijuana research. Comprised mainly of veterans, the company running the ranch, Tyson Holistic, plans to help those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD):
“[T]aking care of men and women who have served in the armed forces is a main priority.”
California City Mayor Jennifer Wood has personally thanked Tyson for his commitment to the community, noting the ranch will provide “medical marijuana to people in need.”
Woody Harrelson
Long before The Hunger Games, Academy Award nominated actor Woody Harrelson was fighting for justice:
“You can go to a drugstore in any city in the nation and you’ll find any drug you want, and they’ll be more addictive and worse for you than grass. And there will be a smiling man there sanctioned by the government who’s allowed to give them to you.”
Harrelson currently sits on the advisory board of NORML, working to reform marijuana laws.
Willie Nelson
Perhaps marijuana’s most famous spokesperson, Grammy winner Willie Nelson presents a clear and concise case for the plant’s healing properties:
“The biggest killer on the planet is stress and I still think the best medicine is and always has been cannabis.”
Like Harrelson, Nelson also sits on NORML’s advisory board.
To read some of the studies supporting Nelson’s claim, see: Anxiety & Marijuana: What Science Says.
Seth Rogan
Like many patients, actor Seth Rogan appreciates the general feeling of well-being that comes from cannabis, telling Vogue:
“I mean, I smoke weed all day every day and have for probably around 20 years at this point. I would say I have a very unique relationship with weed in that I require it to function… For me, it is as intrinsic to my functionality as shoes or glasses or any other thing that I use to help make my journey through my day-to-day life a more manageable one.”
Try Medical Marijuana for Yourself!
You don’t have to be a star to access the incredible healing properties of medical marijuana! Thanks to CannaMD‘s network of experienced medical cannabis physicians, treatment is just a phone call away! Give us a ring at (855) 420-9170 or fill out a quick online form to get started!
