8 Famous Music Producers Who Smoke Weed

• Cannabis has been deeply integrated into music production culture since Dr. Dre’s The Chronic in 1992, with producers using it to enhance creativity and manage studio pressures.
• Over 35% of EDM party attendees report substance use during nights out, reflecting the industry’s relationship with cannabis.
• Mike Dean has maintained a 30-year daily cannabis habit while producing for Kanye West, Travis Scott, and Jay-Z, demonstrating long-term professional success with use.
• Cannabis normalization by prominent producers has contributed to broader cultural acceptance and policy changes, like Colorado’s $1 billion in cannabis sales in eight months (2017)
• Multiple rapper-owned cannabis brands have emerged, including Khalifa Kush and Death Row Cannabis, showing the industry’s business opportunities.
• Producers use cannabis for distinct creative purposes – from sparking initial ideas to facilitating collaborative sessions and managing anxiety.
• Some producers like Lex Luger have battled addiction issues, highlighting the importance of responsible use.
• The market for cannabis beverages is projected to reach $3 billion by 2028, with producers like Diplo launching their own brands.

Cannabis has been deeply intertwined with music production culture, particularly in hip-hop, where it became integral to creative processes and artistic identity since Dr. Dre’s groundbreaking The Chronic album in 1992. For producers, cannabis serves multiple functions: enhancing creativity, reducing anxiety, and facilitating the collaborative environment essential to music creation. Many successful producers credit cannabis with helping them achieve breakthroughs in the studio while maintaining decades-long careers. If you’re exploring the relationship between creativity and cannabis, Herb’s strain guides can help you understand which varieties might complement different creative processes.

The normalization of cannabis use among prominent music producers has significantly shifted public perception and contributed to broader acceptance of cannabis culture. What was once a hidden practice has become a documented aspect of music history, with producers openly discussing their use and even launching successful cannabis businesses alongside their music careers. This cultural shift has paralleled the industry’s evolution, moving from underground acceptance to mainstream acknowledgment.

Mike Dean, the legendary producer behind hits for Kanye West, Travis Scott, and Jay-Z, has smoked cannabis daily for over 30 years while maintaining an incredibly successful career. In an interview, Dean explained that cannabis helps him stay balanced: “I’m kind of a high-key person, so it keeps me kind of normal. I pretty much smoked every day after that.” His routine demonstrates that long-term cannabis use can coexist with professional excellence in the music industry.

Dean’s experience highlights how cannabis serves as both a creative catalyst and an anxiety management tool for producers working under intense pressure. Rather than impairing his work, he credits it with enhancing his ability to collaborate and maintain focus during marathon studio sessions.

Dr. Dre’s 1992 album The Chronic permanently associated cannabis with hip-hop culture, selling millions of copies since its release. The album’s name and content directly referenced marijuana, making it a cultural touchstone that influenced an entire generation of producers and artists. Dre’s West Coast production style became synonymous with the relaxed, smooth sound often linked to cannabis use.

The cultural impact of The Chronic extended far beyond music, contributing to broader societal discussions about marijuana. Dre’s influence, certified by the Recording Industry Association, helped shift cannabis from underground taboo to mainstream recognition, paving the way for future producers to openly discuss their relationship with the plant.

Snoop Dogg, known for his distinctive voice and production work, has made cannabis central to his brand identity. While rumors once exaggerated his consumption, he clarified that he smokes fewer blunts than reported. His nickname “Snoop” originated from childhood, but marijuana became inseparable from his adult image and artistry.

While primarily known as a performer, Snoop has also produced tracks and built successful cannabis ventures, including Leafs by Snoop and Death Row Cannabis. His ability to turn cultural association into entrepreneurship demonstrates how artist-producer relationships with cannabis can evolve into lasting business empires.

The Alchemist, renowned for his soulful, sample-heavy beats, has long been tied to cannabis culture in hip-hop. Known for his collaborations with Eminem, Mobb Deep, and Action Bronson, he frequently references marijuana in his work and public appearances. His reputation as a laid-back but precise craftsman reflects the way many producers describe using cannabis to heighten creativity and atmosphere in the studio.

In a HipHopDX article, The Alchemist revealed that one of his earliest interactions with DJ Premier was when he sold the legendary producer weed in New York. This anecdote underscores his deep-rooted connection to cannabis culture within the hip-hop community.

Madlib, one of hip-hop’s most innovative producers, has often been associated with cannabis through his music and collaborations. His work on projects like Madvillainy with MF DOOM showcases an experimental edge that fans frequently connect with the altered states producers describe when working under the influence of marijuana.

In an interview, Madlib shared, “I get high or I do stuff sober, it doesn’t matter. I got so much weed in me from smoking throughout the years anyway.” His intricate sampling and layered compositions illustrate how producers channel altered perspectives into groundbreaking soundscapes while embracing cannabis culture.

Willie Nelson has been one of the most visible advocates for cannabis in music, maintaining his reputation as both an artist and businessman. At age 82, he launched Willie’s Reserve, a consumer cannabis brand designed to reflect his decades-long relationship with marijuana. His move marked a milestone in the legitimization of cannabis within mainstream culture.

Nelson’s story illustrates how veteran musicians and producers can transform personal advocacy into thriving business ventures. Beyond music, his leadership in cannabis entrepreneurship highlights how the normalization of the plant is tied directly to trusted cultural figures.

Rick Rubin is renowned for his minimalist, meditative studio philosophy that often stands in contrast to substance-driven creativity. A 60 Minutes profile highlights his reliance on calm, focus, and atmosphere rather than cannabis or other stimulants, underscoring how not all legendary producers embrace marijuana.

Rubin’s inclusion shows how top producers can cultivate transcendental environments without relying on substances. His example provides a counterpoint to the role cannabis plays in music production, proving that creativity can flourish through discipline, mindfulness, and design.

Timbaland offers a different lens on substance use in the music industry. While not primarily associated with marijuana, he has publicly shared his experiences with addiction and recovery, contributing to an important conversation about health and balance in high-pressure creative fields.

In an interview, Timbaland discussed his struggles with opioid addiction, stating, “I was on OxyContin.” He began taking pain medication in his thirties to help with nerve issues resulting from a gunshot wound he had sustained. This source provides a direct and credible account of his battle with addiction and his journey toward recovery.

Cannabis has evolved from a hidden studio ritual to a documented aspect of music production culture. What began with Dr. Dre’s The Chronic in 1992 has grown into a widespread industry practice where producers openly discuss their relationship with cannabis. This evolution has paralleled broader cultural shifts, including California becoming the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996.

The relationship between producers and cannabis demonstrates both the creative benefits and potential challenges of substance use in high-pressure creative environments. While many producers like Mike Dean have maintained decades-long careers with daily use, others like Lex Luger have faced significant challenges that led to sobriety.

For those interested in exploring how different strains might affect creative processes, Herb’s cannabis and creativity guide provides research-based information without medical claims.

Yes, many producers have documented using cannabis during studio sessions. Mike Dean has smoked daily for over 30 years while producing for major artists, and The Alchemist has been open about selling weed during closed sessions to support his creative process.

Multiple producers, including Mike Dean, Dr. Dre, RZA, Diplo, and Carlos Santana, have publicly discussed their cannabis use. In interviews, they’ve explained how it affects their creative process and studio environment.

According to Dr. Alice Weaver Flaherty, a neurologist cited in Herb.co research, “Cannabis acts as a stimulant that can increase creative output short-term.” Producers report that it helps with generating initial musical ideas and enhancing emotional expression in their work.

While less documented in the research, the growing presence of female producers in the industry suggests diverse relationships with cannabis. Linda Perry, WondaGurl, and Missy Elliott have been identified as female producers who have broken cannabis stigmas.

Hip-hop has the most documented history, with Dr. Dre’s The Chronic creating a cultural touchstone. However, electronic music producers like Diplo and rock legends like Carlos Santana demonstrate that cannabis use spans multiple genres.