7 Famous Dancers Who Smoke Weed

• Cannabis and dance share deep historical roots – From Jazz Age musicians who influenced dance culture to today’s professional dancers, cannabis has been part of creative performance for over a century.
• Professional dancers use cannabis primarily for recovery – CBD and THC help manage chronic pain, arthritis, and muscle soreness, allowing careers to extend into later decades.
• The “dancer’s high” has a scientific basis – Research suggests cannabis may amplify the body’s natural endocannabinoid response to intense physical activity, creating flow states.
• Ballet and contemporary dancers are breaking stigma – Even in traditionally conservative dance forms, professionals are speaking out about cannabis benefits for mental health and physical recovery.
• Quality products matter for dancers – With contaminated CBD products containing THC, heavy metals, pesticides, and microbes, dancers prioritize third-party tested options from reputable sources.

The relationship between cannabis and dance culture spans nearly a century. During the Jazz Age of the 1920s and 1930s, when alcohol was prohibited but cannabis remained legal until 1937, performance artists frequented “tea pads” where cannabis was openly consumed. This era established cultural foundations that continue today, with dancers across genres using cannabis for creativity, recovery, and wellness.

The dance community has evolved from underground cannabis use to open advocacy, particularly as legalization expands and research validates therapeutic benefits. About 17.7 million Americans reported daily or near-daily marijuana use in 2022, making cannabis culture increasingly mainstream across all demographics, including professional performers.

James Moore, principal dancer at Pacific Northwest Ballet, represents the new generation of ballet professionals embracing cannabis for therapeutic purposes. At 37 years old, he reports using “CBD capsules, tinctures, and topical creams for almost four years,” believing it has extended his career. He states: “I wake up feeling more refreshed, with my muscles more pliable. I get a really direct benefit where I have arthritis in the SI joint in my back, and I’m less sore overall, without popping pain relievers containing harsh chemicals.” His experience reflects the shift in ballet from complete prohibition to therapeutic acceptance, demonstrating how quality cannabis products can support professional longevity.

Professional dancer Nika Antuanette, founder of BlissIn Out, openly discusses how cannabis enhances her creative process: “Cannabis often allows for more freedom of expression; I can explore different movement patterns, and it often amplifies the current state I am in. The addition of cannabis before improvising reminds me of the Eternal Now. Everything is happening in the present moment, and change is the only constant.” She uses both CBD and THC products for recovery, noting that “CBD topicals work excellently as gliding balm for fascial release work,” demonstrating the practical applications beyond recreational use.

Kai Jmarii, a TikTok choreographer known for freestyle-driven videos, has discussed how cannabis fuels creativity and performance, including in a weed-focused artist interview highlighting his role in Rebelle x Honeysuckle’s “Need Weed” artist series. He frames the plant as a tool for presence and flow, crediting it with loosening self-judgment so improvisation can land with more authenticity on camera and in live sessions.

Classically trained dancer and choreographer Jay Jackson (Laganja Estranja) is a prominent cannabis advocate, profiled by a Forbes advocacy profile and regularly interviewed about plant-inspired creativity. Her work blends technical dance training with drag performance, positioning cannabis as part of an intentional creative practice rather than a taboo subject.

Burlesque performer and choreographer Mia the MVP explicitly connects performance and cannabis in campaign spotlight coverage for Rebelle x Honeysuckle’s “Need Weed” series. She describes using the plant to ease muscular tension and unlock stage presence, aligning with a wider movement of performers treating cannabis as a recovery and creativity aid.

A New York breakdancer from hip-hop’s early era, Mario Ramos’s path from breaking and graffiti to cannabis advocacy is documented in a feature interview profile. His story traces the scene’s street-level roots and frames cannabis not only as culture but as a tool he integrates into wellness and community work.

Burlesque and pole performer Candace Cane (Sweet Ms. Candace) shares how plant medicine supports recovery and artistry in an in-depth dancer interview. She details balancing high-intensity performance with pain management and creative focus, echoing other professionals who treat cannabis as part of a thoughtful training regimen.

Professional dancers report multiple benefits from cannabis use, primarily focused on therapeutic rather than recreational purposes:

• Pain management and recovery: CBD and THC help manage chronic pain, arthritis, and muscle soreness without harsh chemical painkillers
• Enhanced creativity and flow states: Cannabis helps dancers access improvisational states where judgment is quieted and authentic expression flourishes
• Anxiety reduction: Cannabis creates space between dancers and performance anxiety or perfectionist thoughts
• Sleep improvement: Better sleep quality is essential for dancers’ motor learning and recovery

However, dancers also note important considerations:

• Impaired coordination: Cannabis can impair short-term memory, motor coordination, and judgment—critical skills for dance performance
• Energy reduction: Some dancers report that cannabis lowers energy levels, making it unsuitable before professional performances or classes
• Quality concerns: Third-party testing has found some CBD products contaminated with THC, heavy metals, pesticides, and microbes
• Individual variation: Responses vary dramatically based on genetics, tolerance, and mental health status

For dancers interested in exploring cannabis for wellness, Herb’s platform offers several resources:

• Browse cannabis products specifically formulated for pain relief and muscle recovery
• Explore strain guides to understand which varieties are best suited for creativity versus recovery
• Find dispensaries that carry third-party tested, quality-assured products
• Read educational guides on responsible consumption and product selection

Professional dancers emphasize starting with low doses of CBD from reputable sources, beginning with topicals for localized pain to avoid psychoactive effects. They recommend using cannabis only in private practice settings initially—never before public performances until individual effects are well-understood.

As legalization expands and stigma decreases, cannabis use among dancers is likely to become increasingly mainstream. The dance community benefits from honest education, quality products, mental health support, and policies grounded in harm reduction rather than prohibition.

Whether you’re a professional dancer seeking recovery solutions or a fan curious about the cultural connection between cannabis and dance, the resources exist to explore this intersection responsibly and knowledgeably.

Professional contemporary dancer Nika Antuanette openly discusses using both CBD and THC for recovery and creativity enhancement. As cannabis legalization expands and stigma decreases, more professional dancers across genres are publicly sharing their therapeutic use of cannabis products.

Yes, professional ballet dancers like James Moore of Pacific Northwest Ballet use CBD products for pain management and recovery. He reports that CBD has helped extend his career by managing arthritis and muscle soreness without harsh chemical painkillers. Ballet dancers increasingly view cannabis, particularly CBD, as a legitimate wellness tool.

Cannabis helps dancers manage chronic pain, arthritis, and muscle soreness through CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties. Professional dancers report using topical creams for localized pain, tinctures for systemic effects, and edibles for longer-lasting relief, allowing them to continue performing at advanced ages.

While specific strain preferences vary by individual needs, dancers generally favor balanced CBD: THC ratios for recovery and low-THC, high-terpene strains for creativity enhancement. Many dancers prioritize third-party tested products with clear labeling of cannabinoid content and terpene profiles.

Cannabis has deep cultural roots in hip-hop dance, from the early days of breakdancing to modern choreography. Street dancers across generations report that cannabis helps them access flow states and authentic improvisation, making it a longstanding element of hip-hop dance culture.