5 DJs Who Smoke Weed: Cannabis Culture in Electronic Music

Cannabis culture runs deep through electronic music, with over 35% of EDM party attendees reporting substance use during nights out. Whether you’re exploring different cannabis strains that fuel creativity or simply curious about the intersection of music and marijuana, this guide examines both sides of cannabis use in DJ culture – from daily consumers to those who found success through sobriety.

• Cannabis use spans genres and generations – From hip-hop legends to EDM pioneers, 40% of festival attendees use marijuana at live events, making it the second most common substance after alcohol
• Daily use is common among touring DJs – Many professionals report using cannabis for anxiety management and maintaining equilibrium during grueling tour schedules
• Creative enhancement remains debated – While some artists swear by cannabis for ideation, others find it counterproductive for completing projects
• Sobriety is equally viable – Successful DJs like Calvin Harris and Steve Aoki demonstrate that abstinence doesn’t limit career potential
• Festival culture drives acceptance – Nearly 30% at EDM shows admit to cannabis use, with reggae festivals showing even higher rates at one in three attendees
• Health considerations vary widely – From 63.4% dependency rates among regular users to zero overdose deaths ever recorded
• Legal landscape affects openness – As legalization expands, more artists discuss their usage patterns publicly
• The industry is evolving – From hidden backstage sessions to DJ-endorsed cannabis brands, transparency increases alongside mainstream acceptance

Hip-hop super-producer Mike Dean has been transparent about his daily cannabis use spanning decades. As he explained to VICE: “I’m kind of a high-key person, so it keeps me kind of normal. I pretty much smoked every day after that.”

Mike Dean uses cannabis for both medicinal anxiety management and creative inspiration. He maintains a daily consumption pattern that has lasted over 30 years. Dean credits cannabis with helping him maintain mental equilibrium while producing for artists like Kanye West, Travis Scott, and Jay-Z. His extensive catalog proves that consistent cannabis use doesn’t necessarily impair productivity or creativity.

As Wiz Khalifa’s official DJ, Bonics maintains a daily cannabis routine that helps him stay level during intensive touring schedules. “It’s daily for the most part. I hate to say it but it just makes me feel level,” he shared in an interview.

DJ Bonics follows a morning-to-night consumption schedule that he uses primarily for maintaining mental balance. He integrates cannabis seamlessly into his touring lifestyle and represents the touring DJ managing performance pressure through regular use.

Before cannabis went commercial, DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill was preaching the gospel from hip-hop’s frontlines. His group Cypress Hill became synonymous with cannabis culture in the 1990s.

DJ Muggs pioneered cannabis themes in mainstream hip-hop and released multiple cannabis-themed albums and tracks. He advocated for legalization decades before mainstream acceptance and influenced an entire generation of cannabis-positive artists. Check out cannabis guides to understand the strains that influenced Cypress Hill’s iconic sound.

While technically more rapper than DJ, Snoop’s DJ sets as DJ Snoopadelic and legendary smoking sessions with other celebrities make him impossible to ignore. His cannabis consumption is so legendary it’s become part of his brand identity.

Snoop has launched multiple cannabis brands and products while employing a full-time blunt roller on staff. He hosts smoking sessions with celebrities across industries and has transformed stigma into a marketable persona that spans music, business, and pop culture.

Major Lazer’s Diplo has been open about his controlled substance use, including cannabis alongside psychedelics. He represents a measured approach to substance use in creative work.

Diplo advocates for responsible, intentional use and discusses benefits for creativity and perspective. He maintains a successful career while being transparent about his experiences and challenges stereotypes about substance use in electronic music.

The numbers tell the story of cannabis prevalence in DJ culture:

• Over 35% of EDM attendees use drugs during nights out
• Unplanned marijuana use at 10.7% most common at events
• 84% of Australian festival attendees used cannabis in past month
• Two-thirds of adverse effects at events involve alcohol-cannabis combinations

These statistics demonstrate that DJs perform for audiences where cannabis use is normalized, creating an environment where artist usage is both expected and accepted.

Different music genres show varying cannabis acceptance rates:

By Genre Usage:

• Reggae festivals: One in three attendees
• Hip-hop and EDM events: Nearly 30%
• Rock concerts: Lower but still significant rates

Understanding these patterns helps explain why certain DJs are more open about usage – their audiences expect and accept it. Browse dispensaries near venues to see how cannabis access aligns with major music events.

Calvin Harris represents the sober EDM movement, choosing abstinence after recognizing substance use was affecting his health and performance. His sobriety hasn’t limited his success – he remains one of electronic music’s highest-paid DJs.

Sobriety Journey: Calvin quit all substances to improve health and focus. He reports better performance quality and consistency while maintaining a top-tier career without any substances. His journey inspires other DJs to consider sobriety as a viable path to success.

Steve Aoki maintains complete sobriety while sustaining one of electronic music’s most demanding tour schedules. His approach proves that energy and creativity don’t require chemical enhancement.

Lifestyle Choices: Steve Aoki has never relied on substances for performance and instead focuses on fitness and healthy living. He performs 200+ shows annually completely sober and demonstrates alternative stress management strategies through exercise and meditation.

Kaskade’s sober lifestyle stems from personal and religious convictions, proving that mainstream EDM success doesn’t require substance use.

Kaskade’s religious beliefs guide his lifestyle choices while family responsibilities take priority over party culture. He maintains connection with his audience without substances and shows that sobriety and EDM culture can coexist successfully.

Many DJs report cannabis aids their creative process, though scientific evidence remains mixed. The relationship between cannabis and creativity in music production involves:

Reported Benefits: Artists report initial ideation and “thinking outside the box” benefits along with reduced self-criticism during experimental phases. Many experience enhanced appreciation of sound textures and layers and an improved ability to enter “flow states” during creative sessions.

Potential Drawbacks: Some producers face difficulty completing technical tasks while impaired and memory issues affecting complex production work. Heavy use can lead to motivation challenges and inconsistent quality of work produced while high. Explore cannabis education resources to understand how different cannabinoids affect cognitive function and creativity.

Cannabis use in recording studios has been documented across decades:

Studio Dynamics: Cannabis often serves as a social lubricant for collaborative sessions. It helps artists and producers bond during long sessions while creating a relaxed atmosphere for experimentation. This practice has become part of hip-hop and reggae studio tradition.

Professional Considerations: Some studios ban smoking for equipment protection while engineers often remain sober for technical precision. Artists must balance inspiration with execution needs, though modern vaping reduces studio air quality concerns compared to traditional smoking.

DJs face unique challenges that lead some to cannabis use:

Tour Stressors: Touring DJs deal with irregular sleep schedules across time zones and performance anxiety before large crowds. They face constant travel and jet lag while maintaining pressure to deliver energy and creativity night after night.

Cannabis as Solution: Many use cannabis for anxiety management without pharmaceutical dependency. It serves as a sleep aid for irregular schedules and stimulates appetite during hectic touring. Cannabis also facilitates social bonding with other artists on tour.

However, 40% of regular users report health or social consequences, highlighting the importance of moderation.

The festival environment presents unique risks:

Concerning Statistics: Research shows 63.4% of regular users at festivals show dependency signs. Over one-third of adverse effects involve marijuana, with polysubstance use common in party settings. Peer pressure and availability increase usage rates significantly.

Harm Reduction Approaches: Festival medical tents are increasingly cannabis-aware and provide education about mixing substances dangers. There’s growing emphasis on hydration and moderation along with support for artists choosing sobriety. Visit cannabis news for updates on festival safety initiatives and harm reduction programs.

Mike Dean, DJ Bonics, DJ Muggs, and Diplo have all been open about their cannabis consumption. Mike Dean notably discussed his daily use for decades, while DJ Bonics explained how it helps him stay level during tours. However, the EDM scene also includes successful sober DJs like Calvin Harris, Steve Aoki, and Kaskade who prove substance use isn’t necessary for success.

Producers report varied effects on creativity and workflow. Some claim cannabis enhances initial ideation and helps them “think outside the box,” while others find it impairs their ability to complete technical tasks. Scientific evidence remains mixed on whether cannabis genuinely enhances creativity or simply alters perception. Many producers use cannabis during brainstorming but complete detailed work sober.

Yes, several prominent DJs and music artists have launched cannabis brands or partnered with existing companies. Snoop Dogg has multiple cannabis ventures, while other artists have created signature strains or endorsed specific products. As legalization expands, expect more DJ-cannabis brand partnerships. Check cannabis products for artist collaborations and music-inspired offerings.

While we can’t endorse illegal activity, statistics show one in three attendees at reggae festivals admit to cannabis use, with nearly 30% at hip-hop and EDM events. Festivals in cannabis-legal states like California, Colorado, and Nevada tend to have more open consumption, though venue policies vary. Always follow local laws and festival rules.

International touring presents significant legal challenges for cannabis-using DJs. Many artists abstain completely when touring countries with strict drug laws. Others rely on local connections or medical programs where available. The varying legal landscape means DJs must carefully research each country’s laws and potential consequences. Some artists have faced serious legal issues from cannabis possession abroad, making abstinence the safest choice for international tours.