List of CEOs Who Smoke Weed

• The stigma is shifting – From Peter Lewis donating $40-60 million to legalization causes to Elon Musk’s viral Joe Rogan appearance, cannabis use among executives is increasingly normalized
• Success and cannabis aren’t mutually exclusive – These 12 CEOs built companies worth billions while openly connected to cannabis through use or advocacy, proving that cannabis doesn’t hinder business acumen
• Two distinct categories emerge – Traditional business leaders who experiment with cannabis versus modern cannabis industry executives who’ve built careers around the plant
• Advocacy often accompanies admission – Many CEOs on this list actively support legalization efforts, using their platforms and resources to drive policy change
• Founder privilege plays a role – Company founders generally have more latitude to discuss cannabis use compared to hired executives
• Silicon Valley leads corporate acceptance – Tech industry leaders like Mark Johnson describe cannabis use as “extremely common” among tech workers
• The cannabis industry creates new leadership opportunities – Modern executives like Kim Rivers represent a new generation building legitimate businesses in the legal cannabis space

When Elon Musk took a hit from a marijuana joint on Joe Rogan’s podcast in 2018, it sparked a national conversation about cannabis use among business leaders. But Musk was far from the first CEO to publicly acknowledge smoking weed. From insurance magnates to tech moguls, some of America’s most successful business executives have been open about their cannabis use—without it derailing their careers or business success.

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“Our marijuana laws are outdated, ineffective and stupid.”

Peter Lewis stands as perhaps the most committed cannabis advocate among business leaders. After losing his leg to a rare infection, he turned to marijuana for pain management and became one of the largest donors to legalization causes in history.

Best Known For: Building Progressive Insurance into a multi-billion-dollar insurer
Cannabis Admission: Used cannabis regularly for chronic pain after leg amputation
Company Impact: Served as CEO and Chairman until his death in 2013
Major Advocacy: Forbes estimated that Lewis donated $40-60 million to marijuana reform efforts over decades
California Support: Donated over $1.7 million to California decriminalization efforts between 1996-2010
Key Quote: “It didn’t exactly eliminate the pain, but it made the pain tolerable”

“Millions of otherwise productive lives are wasted in jail for marijuana possession.”

Richard Branson represents the global entrepreneur who views cannabis prohibition as both ineffective and harmful to society. The Virgin Group founder has been vocal about his cannabis use, even admitting to smoking with his son and learning joint-rolling techniques from Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards.

Best Known For: Founding Virgin Group’s dozens of companies worldwide
Cannabis Admission: Admitted recreational use and learning to roll joints from Keith Richards
Company Impact: Built a multi-billion-dollar business empire spanning multiple industries
Advocacy Position: Called for ending the War on Drugs and suggested investing in the cannabis industry
Key Quote: “Millions of otherwise productive lives are wasted in jail for marijuana possession and other nonviolent drug violations”

Famous for his Joe Rogan podcast appearance where he smoked marijuana live on air

Elon Musk’s 2018 appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast became the most high-profile CEO cannabis moment in recent history. When offered marijuana during the interview, Musk took a hit from a joint, creating a viral moment that sparked intense debate about executive accountability and cannabis use.

Best Known For: Leading Tesla, SpaceX, and X (Twitter)
Cannabis Admission: Smoked marijuana during 2018 Joe Rogan podcast
Company Impact: Built multiple billion-dollar companies revolutionizing transportation and space exploration
Cultural Reference: Scheduled SpaceX launch for 4/20
Founder Advantage: Demonstrated how founder-CEOs have more latitude to engage with cannabis culture
Key Impact: Sparked national conversation about CEO cannabis use

“Been smoking marijuana on a regular basis for about 50 years.”

George Zimmer holds the record for longest admitted duration of cannabis use among CEOs. The Men’s Wearhouse founder told Fortune he’s been smoking marijuana regularly for about 50 years, even thriving after being fired from his own company in 2013 by founding new successful businesses like Generation Tux and zTailors.

Best Known For: “You’re gonna like the way you look – I guarantee it”
Cannabis Admission: 50 years of regular cannabis use
Company Impact: Built Men’s Wearhouse and later founded Generation Tux and zTailors
Key Quote: “Been smoking marijuana on a regular basis for about 50 years”
Advocacy: Supports California legalization initiatives

“You bet I did. And I enjoyed it.”

Michael Bloomberg’s cannabis admission stands out for its refreshing honesty. When asked about past marijuana use, the Bloomberg L.P. founder and former New York City mayor responded with his now-famous quote that became so iconic it was featured in a high-profile NORML ad campaign without his permission.

Best Known For: Building Bloomberg L.P. and serving as NYC Mayor
Cannabis Admission: Blunt admission of past enjoyment
Company Impact: Created a multi-billion dollar financial information empire
Key Quote: “You bet I did. And I enjoyed it”
Cultural Impact: Quote used in NORML legalization campaign on NYC buses and New York Times ads

“Marijuana was the pharmaceutical of choice” during Microsoft’s early days

Bill Gates represents the tech pioneer whose cannabis use during Microsoft’s formative years didn’t prevent him from building one of the world’s most valuable companies. According to his biography “Gates: How Microsoft’s Mogul Reinvented an Industry,” marijuana was common among early Microsoft employees.

Best Known For: Co-founding Microsoft
Cannabis Admission: Early career use documented in biography
Company Impact: Built Microsoft into a trillion-dollar company, became world’s richest person
Key Context: Cannabis use common in early Microsoft culture
Advocacy: Supported Washington State legalization initiative

Known for experimentation during Apple’s formative years

Steve Jobs, the visionary behind Apple’s revolutionary products, experimented with cannabis during his early career. His countercultural approach to business and life included exploration of consciousness-altering substances, contributing to his ability to “think different” and create groundbreaking products.

Best Known For: Co-founding Apple and revolutionizing multiple industries
Cannabis Admission: Early career use documented
Company Impact: Built Apple from garage startup to trillion-dollar company
Cultural Impact: Embodied countercultural entrepreneur archetype
Legacy: Demonstrated that cannabis experimentation during formative years doesn’t prevent building world-changing companies

“Uh … 1982. I hear it’s gotten better.”

Oprah Winfrey’s cannabis admission is notable for its transparency and timing. The media mogul admitted to past cannabis use during interviews with both David Letterman (2015) and on “Watch What Happens: Live” (2013), responding with characteristic honesty when asked about her last use.

Best Known For: Building a media empire and trusted brand
Cannabis Admission: Last use in 1982, admitted on national television twice
Company Impact: Created Harpo Productions and OWN network with $3 billion net worth
Key Quote: “Uh … 1982. I hear it’s gotten better”
Significance: Showed how cannabis use doesn’t conflict with maintaining a trusted public image

“Marijuana should be legalized because to not legalize it, we’re paying the same price we paid for prohibition.”

Hugh Hefner was more than just a cannabis user—he was a pioneer advocate who helped launch the modern legalization movement. In 1970, the Playboy founder donated $5,000 to help establish NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), effectively founding the leading cannabis reform organization.

Best Known For: Founding Playboy magazine
Cannabis Admission: Regular use that enhanced his sex life
Company Impact: Built Playboy into a cultural institution
Key Contribution: $5,000 donation helped fund NORML in the early 1970s
Advocacy: Decades of consistent legalization support
Philosophy: Believed marijuana enhanced sexual experiences, fitting Playboy’s philosophy of sexual liberation

“Pot is an extremely functional drug. Coders can code on it, writers can write on it.”

Mark Johnson represents the modern Silicon Valley executive who views cannabis as compatible with high-performance work. The tech CEO told Bloomberg he smokes marijuana “day in and day out” and described cannabis use as “extremely common” among tech workers.

Best Known For: Leading tech companies in Silicon Valley
Cannabis Admission: Daily use, describes cannabis as “extremely common” in tech
Company Impact: Served as CEO of Zite and Descartes Labs
Key Quote: “Pot is an extremely functional drug. Coders can code on it, writers can write on it”
Cultural Perspective: “People just don’t care. If you do, you don’t need to hide it”
Industry Insight: Reflects cannabis-friendly culture in innovation-driven industries

Known for advocacy aligned with natural foods philosophy

John Mackey represents the retail executive whose cannabis advocacy aligns with his company’s natural and organic philosophy. The Whole Foods co-founder has supported marijuana legalization, viewing it as consistent with the company’s mission of conscious consumption and natural lifestyle choices.

Best Known For: Co-founding Whole Foods Market
Cannabis Admission: Publicly supports legalization and potential retail sales
Company Impact: Built natural foods empire promoting conscious consumption
Brand Alignment: Cannabis advocacy consistent with natural foods mission
Advocacy: Vocal supporter of marijuana legalization

Leading the legal cannabis industry through policy advocacy

Kim Rivers represents the new generation of cannabis industry executives who have built legitimate businesses in the legal cannabis space. As CEO of Trulieve, one of the largest cannabis companies in the United States with 200+ dispensaries across multiple states, Rivers has been actively involved in policy advocacy.

Best Known For: CEO of Trulieve Cannabis Corp.
Cannabis Admission: Industry leadership implies professional cannabis engagement
Company Impact: Built Trulieve into a multi-state operator with 200+ dispensaries across multiple states
Political Engagement: Met with Donald Trump before his cannabis legalization endorsement
Industry Significance: Demonstrates growing political influence of cannabis industry leaders

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