List of Sports Commentators Who Smoke Weed

• Traditional sports broadcasting remains largely silent on cannabis – Unlike entertainment, the sports booth has few openly cannabis-using personalities, with this list highlighting six prominent examples who’ve broken the mold
• The line between athlete and broadcaster is blurring – Former players like Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson now use media platforms to advocate for cannabis normalization and athlete wellness
• Podcasting has revolutionized sports cannabis discourse – Digital media allows personalities like Joe Rogan to maintain active UFC broadcasting roles while openly discussing cannabis use on his podcast
• Cannabis entrepreneurship is growing among sports voices – From Jim Ross’s Oklahoma farm to Snoop Dogg’s extensive product lines, sports media figures are building cannabis businesses
• Legacy matters – Bill Walton’s decades-long advocacy, though he passed in 2024, laid groundwork for today’s more open conversations about cannabis in sports
• Mainstream acceptance is evolving – NBC’s hiring of Snoop Dogg for the 2024 Olympics signals shifting attitudes toward cannabis users in major sports broadcasting roles

Though he passed away in May 2024 at age 71, Bill Walton’s impact as both NBA Hall of Fame player and beloved broadcaster cannot be overstated. Known for his eccentric broadcasting style, particularly calling college basketball for ESPN and later the Pac-12 Network, Walton was perhaps the most prominent traditional sports broadcaster to openly advocate for cannabis throughout his career.

• Broadcasting legacy: Became a celebrated broadcaster, notably calling college basketball for ESPN and the Pac-12 Network over multiple decades
• Cannabis advocacy: Long-time proponent who was candid about marijuana being part of the era’s culture, though claims about special permission from coaches remain disputed
• On-air openness: Made pro-cannabis comments during NCAA broadcasts, including passionate on-air rants advocating for legalization, helping normalize the conversation in mainstream sports media
• Medical perspective: Discussed marijuana legalization openly and talked about pain and recovery in his own life
• Cultural status: Considered the “most famous Deadhead in sports history,” bridging counterculture and mainstream sports

For those interested in the strains that might appeal to someone seeking relief like Walton discussed, Herb’s Strain Guides offer comprehensive information on different cannabis varieties.

Joe Rogan has worked with the UFC since 1997 and has served as a color commentator since 2002. As host of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” one of the world’s most listened-to podcasts, Rogan maintains a unique position as the highest-profile active major-league sports commentator who openly uses cannabis.

• Dual platform presence: Maintains professional role as UFC commentator while discussing cannabis openly on his massively popular podcast
• Performance perspective: Famously stated, “I think marijuana is a performance-enhancing drug,” noting its benefits for Brazilian fighters
• Nuanced approach: Discusses strategic timing of cannabis use around work responsibilities rather than blanket advocacy
• Policy evolution: UFC/USADA policy has shifted over time, with marijuana removed from the UFC Anti-Doping Policy’s prohibited list and treated differently in testing
• Cultural normalization: Uses his platform to facilitate open, nuanced conversations about cannabis while maintaining professional broadcasting credibility

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Jim Ross, the iconic voice of WWE’s “Attitude Era” and current AEW commentator, made headlines in 2021 when he announced his entry into the cannabis business. His journey from legendary wrestling broadcaster to cannabis entrepreneur reflects the evolving acceptance of cannabis in sports media.

• Broadcasting credentials: WWE Hall of Fame announcer who currently serves as AEW commentator
• Cannabis business venture: Launched “Black Hat Farms” in Oklahoma in 2021
• Medical journey: Had skin-cancer-related diagnoses and surgeries in 2016 and 2021, and separately has discussed exploring cannabis
• Family involvement: Invited his daughter and son-in-law into the cannabis farming business
• Legacy transition: Represents traditional sports broadcasters finding new purpose in the legal cannabis industry

For wrestling fans interested in exploring cannabis for wellness like Ross, finding local dispensaries can provide access to products that support recovery routines.

After a 14-season NBA career that included a championship with the Warriors in 2017, Matt Barnes transitioned to media as co-host of the popular “All The Smoke” podcast on Showtime. His candid discussions about cannabis use throughout his playing career have helped normalize the conversation around athlete cannabis consumption.

• Media platform: Co-hosts “All The Smoke” podcast with fellow NBA veteran Stephen Jackson
• Candid admissions: Openly stated he “smoked before I went” to interview Vice President Kamala Harris, comparing it to studying game film
• Social equity work: Joined Eaze as a Senior Advisor to its board, supporting Momentum (Eaze’s accelerator for underrepresented founders)
• Cultural impact: His unapologetic approach to cannabis conversation has helped shift perceptions among fans and executives
• Wellness focus: Advocates for cannabis as part of a holistic athlete wellness approach rather than just recreational use

Like his “All The Smoke” co-host Matt Barnes, Stephen Jackson leverages his media platform to advocate for cannabis as part of athlete wellness and criminal justice reform. His famous quote “I smoked my whole career” represents the most candid admission from a former NBA player turned broadcaster.

• Playing credentials: 14-season NBA veteran and 2003 champion with the San Antonio Spurs
• Famous admission: Openly stated “I smoked my whole career” in interviews that received mainstream sports media coverage
• Policy advocacy: Pushes for cannabis as an alternative to opioids for pain management
• Justice perspective: Connects cannabis advocacy to larger criminal justice and social equity issues
• Cultural influence: His transparency has helped move the conversation forward for fans and executives regarding cannabis in sports

For those interested in the wellness aspects Jackson discusses, Herb’s Editorial & How-Tos provide educational content on cannabis consumption and lifestyle integration.

While primarily known as a rapper and cannabis entrepreneur, Snoop Dogg’s role as an NBC Olympics special correspondent during the 2024 Paris Games represents a significant moment in mainstream media’s acceptance of cannabis users in sports broadcasting roles.

• Olympics role: Served as NBC Olympics special correspondent during the 2024 Paris Games, focusing on human-interest stories and features
• Cultural significance: His prominent role represented mainstream media’s willingness to embrace cannabis icons in major sports broadcasting positions
• Cannabis business: Maintains extensive cannabis product lines and long-time advocacy
• Limited broadcasting role: Unlike other figures on this list, his sports commentary role was specific to the Olympics rather than ongoing

For fans interested in cannabis strains similar to what Snoop might enjoy, Herb’s Strain Guides can help identify options based on desired effects.

The sports broadcasting world has been significantly slower than entertainment to embrace cannabis publicly. After researching dozens of sports media personalities, this list highlights six prominent examples of figures with verifiable public connections to cannabis use or advocacy. This scarcity reflects the conservative nature of traditional sports networks, stringent drug policies, and the professional risks broadcasters face when discussing personal cannabis use. Unlike Hollywood, where cannabis use is often celebrated, sports media has maintained stricter boundaries—making these pioneers all the more significant for breaking the silence.

The evolution of cannabis in sports broadcasting has moved from private use to public advocacy (Walton’s later broadcasting years) to business entrepreneurship (Jim Ross’s farm) and digital media normalization (Barnes and Jackson’s podcast). Joe Rogan represents the unique middle ground—maintaining traditional TV broadcasting roles while using digital platforms to discuss cannabis openly. This progression shows how technology and changing social attitudes have created new pathways for cannabis advocacy in sports media.

Podcasting has fundamentally changed how sports media figures discuss cannabis. Traditional TV networks often maintain strict policies about on-air behavior and public statements, but podcasts offer personal platforms where former athletes like Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson can speak candidly about their experiences. This digital media shift has created space for more authentic conversations about cannabis in sports, even as traditional broadcasting remains relatively silent. Herb’s News section regularly covers these cultural shifts in cannabis acceptance.