List of Angel Investors Who Smoke Weed

• Cannabis consumers build billion-dollar empires – From insurance titans to tech founders, successful business leaders openly acknowledge their cannabis use while making strategic investments
• Celebrity cannabis brands are backed by serious capital – Snoop Dogg’s $200M+ Casa Verde Capital fund and Jay-Z’s $10M social equity initiative show this isn’t just celebrity endorsement
• Personal experience drives investment philosophy – Investors who consume cannabis bring authentic understanding of the market, from Willie Nelson’s decades of advocacy to George Zimmer’s 50 years of regular use
• The line between investor and consumer is increasingly blurred – These aren’t just financiers writing checks; they’re part of the cannabis culture they’re funding
• Social impact matters as much as returns – Jay-Z’s focus on minority entrepreneurs and Whoopi Goldberg’s women’s wellness approach demonstrate purpose-driven cannabis investing
• Global influence extends beyond U.S. borders – Richard Branson’s international drug policy advocacy and Saul Milton’s UK medical cannabis investments show worldwide momentum
• Herb’s community reflects this cultural shift – With 14 million passionate members, we’re part of the same movement these investors support through both consumption and capital

Snoop Dogg isn’t just a celebrity endorser, he’s built one of the most substantial cannabis investment portfolios in the industry. Through Casa Verde Capital, which he co-founded in 2015, the legendary rapper has deployed over $200 million into cannabis ancillary businesses.

Key Investment Strategy:

• Technology focus over flower – Portfolio includes major platforms like Dutchie, Metrc, and Leaflink that power industry infrastructure
• Authentic market understanding – As he told Forbes, “I smoke cannabis, advocate for it on a personal level, but I’m also an investor and entrepreneur”
• Gold standard VC model – Casa Verde represents the benchmark for cannabis-focused venture capital

Explore the full spectrum of cannabis strains that inspire investors like Snoop Dogg.

Peter Lewis, the former CEO of Progressive Insurance, embodied the “functioning pothead” stereotype long before it became mainstream. Building Progressive from 40 employees into a $14 billion company while openly acknowledging his daily cannabis use, Lewis proved that cannabis consumers could achieve the highest levels of business success.

Legacy and Impact:

• Massive philanthropic commitment – Donated an estimated $40-60 million to legalization causes before his death in 2013, making him the largest individual donor at the time
• Famous quote became rallying cry – From a 1995 Fortune profile: “He is a functioning pothead”
• Medical use and principled advocacy – Used cannabis after losing his leg to amputation, but extended advocacy beyond personal need: “Our marijuana laws are outdated, ineffective and stupid”

Stay updated on the evolving legal landscape that investors like Lewis fought to change through our legalization coverage.

At 91 years old, Willie Nelson remains one of cannabis culture’s most enduring icons. His relationship with the plant spans decades, famously stating “I think people need to be educated to the fact that marijuana is not a drug.”

Business and Cultural Contributions:

• Willie’s Reserve launch (2015) – One of the earliest celebrity cannabis brands, emphasizing support for small farmers and ethical cultivation
• Diverse product expansion – Brand includes flower, edibles, and THC-infused social tonics
• Cross-generational influence – Decades-long public stance helped normalize cannabis consumption, bridging counterculture origins and mainstream acceptance
• Longevity connection – Credits cannabis with contributing to his health and maintains active presence in music and advocacy

Jay-Z transformed his personal relationship with cannabis into a sophisticated business strategy through his role as Chief Brand Strategist at Caliva and the launch of his luxury cannabis brand Monogram. But what truly sets him apart is his $10 million social equity fund dedicated to supporting minority cannabis entrepreneurs.

Unique Approach:

• High-end branding meets social justice – Recognizes that communities most impacted by prohibition should benefit from legalization
• Creative process acknowledgment – As he shared in his autobiography ‘Decoded,’ “I smoked some weed, and that’s how I finished ‘Izzo,'”
• Diverse demographic understanding – Monogram’s luxury positioning reflects recognition that cannabis consumers represent varying preferences and price points
• Strategic celebrity partnership model – Collaboration with Caliva demonstrates how influence drives meaningful change in business practices

Discover the premium cannabis products that investors like Jay-Z are have brought to market through brands like Monogram, even as some of those ventures have since wound down.

George Zimmer’s cannabis story is one of authenticity and timing. The Men’s Wearhouse founder, famously fired from his own company in 2013, went public with his cannabis use only after leaving the corporate world.

Authenticity and Advocacy:

• Decades of personal use – In a CNBC interview, stated definitively: “I’ve been smoking marijuana on a regular basis for about 50 years. I guarantee it”
• Post-corporate freedom – Characterized his firing as “probably the greatest thing that ever happened to me,” suggesting it freed him to be authentic
• California legalization support – Backed the state’s 2016 legalization initiative
• Cross-generational perspective – 50-year relationship demonstrates cannabis consumption spans generations and professional backgrounds
• Normalizing business leader consumption – Willingness to speak openly despite professional consequences helped normalize cannabis use

Sir Richard Branson brings international perspective to cannabis investment and advocacy. The Virgin Group founder, with an estimated multi-billion-dollar net worth, has been open about his cannabis use, famously learning to roll joints from Keith Richards and admitting to smoking with his son Sam.

Global Impact:

• Global Commission on Drug Policy member – Serves on international policy reform body
• Strategic cannabis investments – Made investments in cannabis delivery services like Sidecar in partnership with Meadow
• Health-focused advocacy – At the 2016 Sage Summit: “We should treat drug use as a health issue, not as a crime”
• International influence – Uniquely positioned to advocate for cannabis policy reform across borders
• Thoughtful investment approach – Combines business acumen with social consciousness

Track the global policy changes that investors like Branson are championing through our industry news coverage.

Seth Rogen has leveraged his decades of public cannabis advocacy into a legitimate business with Houseplant, his cannabis and lifestyle brand, which launched in Canada in 2019 in partnership with Canopy Growth before that partnership ended in 2021.

Holistic Lifestyle Approach:

• Beyond the plant – Uniquely combines cannabis products with home goods like ceramics, lighters, and ashtrays for complete experience
• Authentic cultural connection – Consistent advocacy through films, interviews, and business resonates with consumers
• Major producer partnership – Collaboration with Canopy Growth provides infrastructure and compliance expertise
• Creative vision maintenance – Ensures brand maintains cultural credibility despite corporate backing

Drake’s entry into cannabis investment reflects his focus on wellness and personal growth. Through More Life Growth Co., which began as a licensed cannabis production venture with Canopy Growth in Toronto but had its partnership wound down in 2021, the global music superstar pursued a licensed cannabis production company based in his hometown.

Wellness-Centered Mission:

• Brand mission – Centers on “wellness, discovery and overall personal growth”
• Aligned vision – Canopy Growth CEO Mark Zekulin: “We were extremely inspired by and aligned with his vision to bring best-in-class cannabis products to the world”
• Quality and wellness positioning – Emphasizes wellness over purely recreational use
• Hometown focus – Demonstrates how investors leverage local connections and community relationships
• Market maturation reflection – Approach reflects growing consumer preferences for wellness-focused products

Explore the wellness-focused cannabis products that investors like Drake are developing.

Whoopi Goldberg brought much-needed attention to women’s wellness in the cannabis space through her co-founding of Whoopi & Maya, a cannabis company focused specifically on menstrual pain relief. Though the company closed in early 2020, its pioneering approach to female-focused cannabis products influenced the entire industry.

Women’s Wellness Focus:

• Medical necessity advocacy – Uses cannabis to manage glaucoma; wrote in TIME about her vape pen “Sippy” and how “her ability to help me live comfortably with glaucoma makes her one of the more important figures in my day to day”
• Specific health needs addressed – Demonstrated how cannabis investment could address needs traditional medicine often overlooks
• Company mission – “Safe, natural relief for period pain through the miracle of medical cannabis”
• Industry influence – Pioneer approach shaped how industry thinks about diverse populations with unique requirements

Saul Milton, one-half of the drum and bass duo Chase & Status, represents the growing intersection of electronic music culture and cannabis investment. The chart-topping artist took part in a £1 million seed round in GrowLab Organics, a British medical cannabis company based on the Isle of Man.

International Market Vision:

• Rapid industry adaptation – Milton understands the importance of staying informed and adapting to changing regulatory and market landscape
• Electronic music culture insight – Background with hits like “End Credits” and “Blind Faith” provides unique consumer preference understanding
• UK medical cannabis focus – Investment demonstrates looking beyond traditional markets to emerging international jurisdictions
• Access, affordability, quality commitment – Investment reflects dedication to improving these three pillars in medical cannabis

Discover the latest cannabis strains and products that cultural influencers like Milton are supporting.

• The investors profiled here demonstrate that personal cannabis consumption often translates to more informed and authentic investment decisions. Unlike traditional venture capitalists who might view cannabis purely as a financial opportunity, these investors bring lived experience to their investment thesis.
• This authenticity matters because cannabis remains a culturally complex industry where understanding consumer behavior, regulatory nuances, and community values can determine success or failure. Investors who consume cannabis themselves are more likely to recognize legitimate opportunities versus superficial trends.
• The projected $31.4 billion U.S. cannabis market in 2024 reflects growing mainstream acceptance, but the industry still requires investors who understand its unique challenges and opportunities. Personal consumption provides insights that spreadsheets alone cannot capture.

• These investors represent a crucial bridge between cannabis culture and mainstream capital markets. Their public acknowledgment of cannabis use helps normalize consumption among business leaders, while their investments provide the financial infrastructure needed for industry growth.
• Their influence extends beyond their individual investments to shape public perception and policy. When billionaires like Peter Lewis and Richard Branson advocate for legalization, they bring credibility and resources that grassroots movements alone cannot match. Similarly, when celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Willie Nelson invest in cannabis businesses, they lend cultural legitimacy to the industry.
• This combination of cultural authenticity and financial resources creates a powerful foundation for sustainable industry growth. As more investors come forward with their own cannabis consumption stories, the stigma that has historically limited investment continues to erode.