List of Poker Players Who Smoke Weed

• Cannabis has been part of poker culture for decades – From WSOP parking lots to private celebrity games, marijuana use among poker players spans generations and skill levels
• The relationship ranges from recreational to medicinal – Players like Bryan Micon use cannabis for tournament focus, while others like Lacey Jones rely on it for anxiety management during high-pressure events
• Cannabis entrepreneurship is common among poker pros – Several players including Adam Bierman and Dan Bilzerian have leveraged poker success to build cannabis businesses worth millions
• Legal tensions persist in professional settings – Despite widespread use, casinos maintain strict no-cannabis policies, creating a disconnect between tournament culture and official rules
• Female perspectives add important dimension – Players like Lacey Jones provide crucial insights into how cannabis helps navigate the male-dominated poker world
• The stigma is evolving alongside legalization – As cannabis becomes legal in more regions, more players are openly discussing their relationship with marijuana

The World Series of Poker parking lot has long been poker’s worst-kept secret—a place where the tension of high-stakes tournament play meets the calming effects of cannabis. While casinos maintain strict no-marijuana policies on the gaming floor, the intersection of poker and weed has been part of professional gambling culture for decades. For players seeking products that complement their poker lifestyle, Herb’s Products Catalog offers everything from discreet vape pens to relaxing edibles.

Bryan Micon represents the most documented case of a professional poker player openly using cannabis during tournament play. His 63rd place finish in the 2006 WSOP Main Event for $123,699 stands as proof that marijuana use doesn’t necessarily hinder competitive performance.

• Tournament success: Finished 63rd in 2006 WSOP Main Event, earning $123,699
• Medical card holder: Self-reported holder of a Nevada medical marijuana card
• Famous moment: Performed an iconic Michael Jackson “Thriller” dance on ESPN during his 2006 WSOP run
• Cannabis benefits: States cannabis “calms me down in big tournament spots” and “helps me think things through clearly in the face of pressure”
• Current interests: Active in Bitcoin trading and drone flying

Micon’s openness about using cannabis during tournament play provides rare insight into how marijuana affects high-level poker performance. His tournament success challenges assumptions about cannabis and competitive gaming.

Country music icon Willie Nelson has been blending poker and cannabis for over six decades. Nelson has long been associated with poker games in music circles, where celebrities reportedly gather to play cards and enjoy his famous weed.

• Cannabis history: First used marijuana at age 11-12 in the mid-1940s
• Poker connections: Met Merle Haggard at a poker game in 1963 or 1964
• Legendary tolerance: Snoop Dogg claims Willie is “the only man to ever smoke him under the table”
• Cannabis brand: Founded Willie’s Reserve cannabis line in 2015

Nelson’s poker games have become so famous that Jack Johnson even wrote a song with the lyric “Willie got me stoned and took all my money.” His ability to combine legendary cannabis tolerance with aggressive poker playing has made him a unique figure in both worlds.

Leveraging his massive social media following of tens of millions of Instagram followers (count changes over time), Dan Bilzerian has transitioned from poker player to cannabis entrepreneur, creating marijuana brands with international reach.

• Social influence: Tens of millions of Instagram followers and substantial Twitter following
• Cannabis business: Signed endorsement deal with ALQ Gold Corp/Vulcan Enterprise in 2017
• Brand portfolio: Created “Burn by Bilzerian” and “Ignite by Bilzerian” cannabis lines
• Poker credentials: Self-proclaimed poker pro with disputed but substantial earnings
• Business approach: Contract allows companies to use his “voice and likeness” worldwide

Bilzerian represents the modern intersection of social media influence, poker celebrity, and cannabis entrepreneurship. His ability to leverage poker fame into cannabis business ventures demonstrates how the industries can complement each other.

Adam Bierman successfully used his poker earnings to help launch MedMen Enterprises, a cannabis company that reached a peak valuation over $3 billion. His journey from poker grinder to cannabis industry pioneer shows how skills from one high-stakes arena can translate to another.

• Poker background: Regular player at Bicycle Casino and Commerce Casino
• Business creation: Founded MedMen Enterprises in 2010, with poker sessions helping cover early payroll
• Company scale: Built operation with retail outlets in 7 states and 6 cultivation facilities at its peak
• Industry impact: Played a major role in an industry where U.S. cannabis retail sales are projected around $44 billion in 2025 (combined medical and adult-use)
• Personal philosophy: States “Poker has been my greatest teacher – not just in business, but in life”

Bierman’s story illustrates how poker’s lessons in risk assessment, reading opponents, and managing incomplete information directly apply to cannabis entrepreneurship. His book “Weed Empire” (April 2025) details this journey from poker tables to boardrooms.

As the founder of Cirque du Soleil with a net worth estimated by Forbes in the billions, Guy Laliberte represents one of the highest-stakes poker players with documented cannabis involvement. His 2019 detention in French Polynesia for growing marijuana on his private island made international headlines.

• Financial status: Billionaire founder of Cirque du Soleil
• Poker losses: Tracking-based reports have estimated Laliberté’s online losses at tens of millions of dollars (exact totals vary by source)
• Legal incident: Detained in French Polynesia in November 2019 for growing marijuana on his private island Nukutepipi
• Representative statement: Marijuana was “strictly for personal use”
• Charity work: Organized $1 million buy-in poker tournaments through his One Drop Foundation

Laliberte’s case demonstrates that even billionaires face legal consequences for cannabis cultivation in jurisdictions where it remains illegal. His willingness to risk legal trouble for personal cannabis use highlights the substance’s importance to some high-stakes players.

Three-time WSOP bracelet winner Dutch Boyd has been instrumental in documenting cannabis culture within professional poker through his writing. His autobiography “Poker Tilt” and various statements provide insight into how marijuana fits into tournament life.

• Poker achievements: 3 WSOP bracelets, 8 WSOP final tables, over $2.6 million in career earnings
• Cultural documentation: Has publicly discussed consuming cannabis while playing poker in his 20s
• Cannabis perspective: Has publicly discussed cannabis being common in poker culture
• Tournament observations: Has described widespread cannabis presence during WSOP events
• Historical context: Part of a generation of players who witnessed poker’s mainstream emergence

Boyd’s willingness to discuss cannabis culture openly provides valuable historical documentation of how marijuana has been integrated into professional poker life, particularly during the tournament trail.

As the most decorated WSOP player in history with 17 bracelets, Phil Hellmuth’s acknowledgment of past cannabis use carries significant weight in the poker community. His admission helps normalize discussions about marijuana among elite players.

• Unmatched success: Holds the record with 17 WSOP bracelets
• Cannabis acknowledgment: Has admitted to smoking marijuana in the past
• Cultural context: Part of discussions about WSOP parking lot culture
• Professional reputation: Known as the “Poker Brat” for his emotional table behavior
• Industry influence: One of poker’s most recognizable personalities

Hellmuth’s acknowledgment of past cannabis use, despite his status as poker’s most successful tournament player, demonstrates that marijuana use doesn’t preclude elite competitive achievement.

Lacey Jones provides a crucial female perspective on cannabis use in the male-dominated poker world. As a player who competed in the WSOP Ladies’ Event and appeared on ESPN’s “Mike and Mike,” she offers insights into how marijuana helps manage tournament anxiety.

• Medical approach: Has discussed using medical marijuana for anxiety management
• Tournament experience: Played in WSOP Ladies’ Event and appeared on ESPN’s “Mike and Mike”
• Anxiety management: Has described using cannabis to manage anxiety during high-pressure tournament situations
• Personal ritual: Described how cannabis helped her refocus before tournament play
• Gender dynamics: First-person account of harassment at tables and using cannabis to maintain composure

Jones represents how medical cannabis can help players manage the psychological pressures of competitive poker, particularly for women navigating a historically male-dominated environment.

WSOP Main Event champion Scotty Nguyen has been open about his past struggles with substance use. His journey from addiction to Poker Hall of Fame induction provides a complex perspective on cannabis and recovery.

• Major achievements: Won 1998 WSOP Main Event and multiple other bracelets
• Substance history: Has publicly discussed past struggles with drug and alcohol use
• Recovery story: Overcame addiction issues to continue successful career
• Hall of Fame status: Inducted into Poker Hall of Fame despite past struggles
• Cultural impact: Known for his “Baby!” catchphrase during play

Nguyen’s story highlights the complex relationship some players have with cannabis and other substances, showing both the potential for problematic use and successful recovery.

The relationship between cannabis and poker dates back decades, with the WSOP parking lot serving as an unofficial gathering place for players seeking relief from tournament pressure. Bryan Micon’s documented use during his 2006 ESPN appearance represents an early moment of mainstream visibility, while Dutch Boyd’s cultural commentary has helped normalize discussions about marijuana in poker circles. The evolution from secretive parking lot sessions to players like Adam Bierman building billion-dollar cannabis empires shows how dramatically the landscape has changed alongside cannabis legalization.

Poker players use cannabis for diverse reasons, from Bryan Micon’s focus enhancement to Lacey Jones’s anxiety management. Players report varying experiences with how cannabis affects their game—some find it helps with stress management and creative thinking, while others note it may influence calculation speed or decision-making. Players seeking to understand different cannabis strains and their varying effects can explore Herb’s comprehensive Strain Guides to find options that might suit their preferences.

The skills required for high-stakes poker—risk assessment, reading people, managing incomplete information—translate naturally to cannabis entrepreneurship. Adam Bierman’s MedMen and Dan Bilzerian’s cannabis brands demonstrate how poker success can fund marijuana ventures. This business connection creates a natural ecosystem where poker winnings fund cannabis ventures, which in turn support the poker lifestyle. Explore cannabis business opportunities and industry insights on Herb.

Despite widespread use, professional poker tournaments maintain strict policies against on-premises cannabis consumption. Most casino venues prohibit cannabis on-property; enforcement can include removal from the venue and tournament penalties depending on house rules. This creates a paradoxical situation where marijuana is simultaneously restricted on the gaming floor and commonplace in adjacent spaces. Players must carefully navigate these restrictions while managing their consumption, often relying on discreet products available through Herb’s Dispensary Directory to find legal options in their area.