Miley Cyrus and Paul McCartney performing on stage
Music

Bong In The Trunk: 5 Superstars Who Stepped Away From Weed

From Miley Cyrus to Paul McCartney, these legendary music icons put down the pipe for vocal clarity, family, and health.

By Nina BrooksPublished Updated 2 min read

Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson recently made waves by revealing he took a break from pot while gearing up for the progressive rock band's massive tour schedule. But the guitar hero is far from the only music superstar who decided to hit pause on their favorite pastime. Over the years, some of the biggest chart-topping performers in pop, rock, and country have put down the lighter. Whether facing demanding performance schedules, lung health issues, or parenting responsibilities, these hitmakers chose to step away from cannabis.

Why did Miley Cyrus quit smoking weed?

Miley Cyrus has been exceptionally open about her fluctuating relationship with pot. The pop powerhouse previously revealed that she took extended breaks from smoking to keep her vocals sharp and stay focused during high-stakes television appearances and album rollouts. While she has cycled between total abstinence and casual use over the years, her candid discussions brought major attention to pop stars setting clear boundaries with herb. Even classic stoner icons have reevaluated their smoking routines. Country music titan Willie Nelson famously announced he stopped smoking joints to protect his respiratory health after decades of heavy use. While he gave up inhaling smoke to preserve his lungs, he did not abandon cannabis entirely, switching instead to alternative consumption methods.

Miley Cyrus and Paul McCartney performing on stage
Miley Cyrus and Paul McCartney performing on stage

Did Paul McCartney give up weed for his kids?

Beatles legend Paul McCartney spent decades closely linked to cannabis culture, but the legendary songwriter eventually decided to put the pipe away for good. The rock icon publicly explained that he gave up his long-running habit to be a more present father and grandfather, trading late-night smoke sessions for family time. Modern chart-toppers like R&B star SZA have also shared their experiences with stepping back from cannabis when it began impacting their mental sharpness and work ethic. Whether taking a brief hiatus for a high-intensity concert tour or retiring the habit permanently, these famous artists proved that even music's most legendary stars sometimes prefer a clear head over getting high.

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People also ask

Why did Alex Lifeson stop using marijuana for Rush's tour?
Alex Lifeson stepped away from weed to maintain his stamina, mental focus, and peak performance levels while preparing for Rush's demanding live shows.
Did Willie Nelson completely stop using cannabis?
Willie Nelson quit smoking cannabis to preserve his lung health, though reports indicate he continued using non-smokable alternatives.
Why did Paul McCartney quit smoking pot?
Paul McCartney decided to retire his decades-long smoking habit so he could be fully present while raising his children and spending time with his grandchildren.