List of Scientists Who Smoke Weed

• At least one Nobel laureate described cannabis use firsthand – Richard Feynman documented his marijuana experimentation in his memoir; other Nobel winners like Francis Crick are better documented for advocacy or other drug experimentation than for confirmed cannabis use
• Scientists reported cannabis changing perception – Some scientists described how cannabis affected their thinking, though it’s not possible to credibly attribute major discoveries (like DNA structure) to cannabis use
• Evidence ranges from confirmed to rumored – Carl Sagan’s use was confirmed posthumously through his “Mr. X” essay, while others like Francis Crick had advocacy work and reform involvement revealed through biographies
• Medical and recreational use both documented – Scientists like Oliver Sacks and Stephen Jay Gould used cannabis for medical purposes during cancer treatment, while others explored it for consciousness expansion
• Cannabis advocacy among scientists – Several scientists on this list actively advocated for cannabis legalization; a 1967 Times advertisement featured prominent figures arguing for reform
• Fields span multiple disciplines – From astrophysics and molecular biology to neurology and psychoanalysis, cannabis use crosses scientific boundaries

Carl Sagan, the renowned astrophysicist and science communicator best known for the Cosmos television series, secretly wrote a famous essay about cannabis under the pseudonym “Mr. X.” His identity wasn’t revealed until after his death in 1996.

• Field: Astronomy, Planetary Science
• Evidence level: Confirmed – wrote essay as “Mr. X” in Marihuana Reconsidered (1971)
• Cannabis advocacy: In the “Mr. X” essay, Sagan described perceived benefits including shifts in perception and appreciation of music, though he did so anonymously
• Posthumous revelation: Reporting about his identity as “Mr. X” circulated in 1999, three years after Sagan’s death in 1996
• Scientific perspective: The essay described how cannabis allowed viewing familiar concepts in new ways

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Francis Crick, who co-discovered the double helix structure of DNA and won the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, was a vocal advocate for cannabis law reform in the UK during the 1960s.

• Nobel achievement: 1962 Nobel Prize for DNA structure discovery
• Cannabis advocacy: A full-page Times advertisement (July 24, 1967) argued cannabis laws were “immoral” and “unworkable”; multiple accounts report Crick among the signatories
• Reform involvement: Associated with UK cannabis reform efforts in the 1960s; SOMA (Society of Mental Awareness) was founded/led by Stephen Abrams with support from prominent reform advocates
• Evidence consideration: Crick is credibly tied to reform advocacy; claims about personal cannabis use require stronger biographical sourcing
• Cultural legend: The widely repeated story that he “perceived the double-helix shape while on LSD” is not supported; biographer Matt Ridley explicitly rejects this claim

Richard Feynman, Nobel laureate in Physics (1965) and one of the most influential theoretical physicists of the 20th century, documented his experimentation with marijuana and ketamine as part of his scientific exploration of consciousness.

• Scientific field: Quantum Mechanics, Particle Physics
• Nobel recognition: 1965 Physics Nobel for quantum electrodynamics work
• Cannabis experimentation: Confirmed experimentation with marijuana and ketamine in his memoir’s “Altered States” chapter
• Scientific approach: Used sensory deprivation tank while experimenting with marijuana
• Intellectual curiosity: Studied his own consciousness as a form of scientific investigation

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Oliver Sacks, the celebrated neurologist and author of books like Awakenings and The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, both used cannabis personally and studied its effects from a neurological perspective.

• Professional field: Neurology, Neuropsychology
• Literary contribution: Wrote Hallucinations (2012) exploring drug-induced perceptions
• Personal experience: Described marijuana-induced perceptual distortion when looking at his hand in the 1960s
• Public discussion: Discussed cannabis experiences in a WBUR/NPR segment (2013)
• Later life: Sacks had cancer later in life; any claims about medical marijuana use should be verified with direct citations

Timothy Leary, the former Harvard researcher who became famous for his advocacy of psychedelic drugs, was a prominent figure in both scientific research and counterculture movements of the 1960s and 1970s.

• Academic background: Former Harvard lecturer/researcher who left after controversy around psychedelic research
• Cultural impact: Gained notoriety worldwide during the 1960s-1970s for advocacy of psychedelic drugs
• Famous phrase: Popularized the counterculture slogan “Turn on, tune in, drop out” in 1966
• Drug experimentation: Well-documented LSD advocacy and experimentation
• Scientific approach: Combined research with public advocacy, though his methods became controversial

Lester Grinspoon, a Harvard Medical School psychiatrist, was not only a cannabis researcher but also the person who published Carl Sagan’s anonymous essay and later revealed Sagan’s identity.

• Academic position: Harvard Medical School psychiatrist and associate professor
• Landmark publication: Published Marihuana Reconsidered (1971)
• Sagan connection: Published Carl Sagan’s “Mr. X” essay and revealed his identity in 1999
• Advocacy role: Harvard psychiatrist who advocated for cannabis legalization
• Research contribution: His books and medical policy influence helped advance cannabis research discussions

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Stephen Jay Gould, the Harvard paleontologist and evolutionary biologist known for his theory of punctuated equilibrium, reported using marijuana during his 1982 cancer treatment for nausea and later advocated for decriminalization for medical purposes.

• Scientific field: Paleontology, Evolutionary Biology
• Notable theory: Punctuated equilibrium in evolutionary biology
• Medical cannabis use: Reported using marijuana during his 1982 cancer treatment to alleviate nausea
• Advocacy: Later advocated for cannabis decriminalization for medical purposes
• Academic position: Harvard professor who maintained active career and lived approximately 20 more years after treatment

Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, is well-documented for his experimentation with cocaine in the 1880s, which he initially called a “wonder drug” before recognizing its dangers.

• Professional field: Neurology, Psychology, Psychoanalysis
• Historical period: Lived 1856-1939, during pre-prohibition era
• Well-documented: Cocaine experimentation is extensively documented in historical records
• Consciousness studies: Explored consciousness alteration as scientific pursuit
• Note: Claims about Freud’s cannabis use are not supported by reliable biographical sources

Andrew Weil, the physician who founded the “integrative medicine” movement, has publicly discussed his past cannabis use and remains an active voice for cannabis medicine into the 2020s.

• Medical field: Medicine, Integrative Medicine
• Cannabis discussion: Has publicly discussed cannabis use from earlier decades, though hasn’t used cannabis for approximately 20-25 years
• Medical approach: Pioneer in combining Western and alternative medicine approaches
• Current advocacy: Active voice on cannabis medicine through the 2020s with articles on DrWeil.com discussing cannabis topics
• Continued relevance: Still living and providing medical perspectives on cannabis (as of 2024)

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Kary Mullis, who won the 1993 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, openly discussed his use of LSD and credited psychedelics with influencing his creative problem-solving.

• Nobel achievement: 1993 Chemistry Nobel for PCR technique development
• Revolutionary technique: PCR (polymerase chain reaction) transformed molecular biology
• Drug experimentation: Told California Monthly: “I took plenty of LSD”
• LSD advocacy: Openly discussed LSD experimentation and credited psychedelics with enhancing creative thinking
• Note: While Mullis discussed psychedelics extensively, cannabis-specific claims require direct citations

The relationship between cannabis and scientific thinking dates back centuries, though documentation becomes more reliable in the 20th century. Carl Sagan’s anonymous “Mr. X” essay remains compelling evidence of how scientists perceived cannabis effects on thinking, describing shifts in perception and appreciation. This perspective has contributed to modern discussions of cannabis effects on divergent thinking and pattern recognition. For scientists and curious minds exploring similar experiences, finding local dispensaries can provide access to quality products in legal areas.

Many scientists on this list transitioned from personal curiosity to serious research or advocacy. Lester Grinspoon moved from personal interest to publishing the landmark Marihuana Reconsidered, while Andrew Weil integrated perspectives on cannabis into his broader integrative medicine framework. Oliver Sacks studied altered states with scientific rigor, eventually writing about them in his book Hallucinations. This evolution reflects a broader trend where personal experience leads to professional interest and contribution to scientific understanding of cannabis.

Several scientists on this list used cannabis for medical purposes. Stephen Jay Gould reported using it during his 1982 cancer treatment for nausea relief, reflecting cannabis’s history as a therapeutic agent even among those with scientific training to critically evaluate its effects. For those seeking similar medical applications, Herb’s educational resources provide information on cannabis for various conditions and consumption methods.