List of Wrestlers Who Smoke Weed

• Industry policy revolution – WWE no longer fines or disciplines wrestlers for marijuana use under its current Wellness Program enforcement, ending the $2,500 fines that once punished cannabis use while allowing dangerous prescription painkillers
• Widespread adoption – Some former wrestlers have claimed widespread cannabis use within WWE, reflecting broader cultural acceptance across 24 states plus DC with recreational legalization
• Entrepreneurial wave – Wrestling legends like Ric Flair, Rob Van Dam, and Val Venis have launched cannabis businesses ranging from CBD companies to dispensaries across multiple states
• Recovery over recreation – These athletes primarily use cannabis for chronic pain management, sleep support, and anxiety relief after decades of physical punishment in the ring
• Advocacy through action – From public statements to business ventures, these wrestlers are normalizing cannabis use and driving policy change in professional sports

Rob Van Dam (RVD) stands as one of wrestling’s most recognizable cannabis advocates, openly championing its role in his long career. His message centers on cannabis for harm reduction, especially as a substitute for pharmaceutical painkillers.

• Cannabis Use: Has reportedly used cannabis daily for over 30 years.
• Advocacy Focus: Promotes cannabis as safer than prescription painkillers, attributing it to his ability to sustain a 20-year wrestling career.
• Public Incident: His cannabis use became widely known after a 2006 arrest (with Sabu), leading to a 30-day suspension and loss of WWE and ECW titles.
• Business Endeavor: Founded RVD CBD company, specializing in wellness and recovery products for athletes.
• Consistent Messaging: Emphasizes cannabis as a tool that helped him avoid opioid addiction, a crisis that claimed many wrestling peers.

Ric Flair, an iconic figure in wrestling, transformed his wellness routine by substituting prescription drugs with cannabis edibles. His personal journey fuels his public advocacy and entrepreneurial ventures in the cannabis space.

• Historical Dependency: Used Xanax consistently since 1989 before making the switch to cannabis.
• Wellness Benefit: Credits cannabis edibles for improving sleep and freeing him from pharmaceutical dependency.
• Brand Launch: Partnered with Mike Tyson’s Tyson 2.0 to launch the Ric Flair Drip brand, sharing authentic plant-based wellness experiences.
• Cultural Impact: Advocates cannabis as a safer alternative for both performers and fans, especially those seeking solutions for wellness.
• Era Significance: His advocacy carries weight as a leader from wrestling’s most hazardous era, marked by addiction problems.

Val Venis moved from WWE fame into cannabis entrepreneurship, focusing on the dispensary scene and educational outreach. His approach blends personal recovery experience and advocacy for broader cannabis acceptance.

• Entrepreneurial Shift: Works within Arizona’s dispensary industry, including Health for Life.
• Personal Recovery: Overcame hydrocodone addiction with the help of marijuana.
• Advocacy Range: Combines cannabis retail operations with education, highlighting its uses beyond just wellness.
• Systemic Critique: Views cannabis as disruptive not only to pharmaceuticals but also to big oil, lumber, and cotton industries.
• Industry Leadership: Represents veterans who use personal experiences to drive business and cultural change.

Matt Riddle’s career symbolizes a new era of athlete openness towards cannabis, overcoming stigma and policy obstacles. His success and advocacy have helped reshape cannabis acceptance in major sports.

• Professional Journey: Released from UFC due to cannabis issues but found WWE stardom as “The Original Bro.”
• Pain Management: Openly discusses cannabis use for managing pain from fighting and surgeries.
• Policy Pioneer: His transition marks a shift toward acceptance and opportunity for athletes facing outdated drug policies.
• Normalization Role: Contributes to the broader trend of athletes using cannabis for recovery.
• Advocacy Impact: Champions cannabis for athletes looking for alternatives to traditional treatments.

Ronda Rousey bridges the gap between MMA and wrestling, using her platform to advocate for more progressive cannabis policies and wellness alternatives. Her influence extends to athletes and fans alike.

• Crossover Star: Transitioned from UFC Champion to WWE Raw Women’s Champion while maintaining policy advocacy.
• Public Voice: Calls for lenient cannabis regulations in MMA, echoing a larger shift in sports culture.
• Leadership Role: Seen as a key figure for elite female athletes in the normalization of cannabis.
• Health Emphasis: Supports the use of cannabis for managing physical and mental performance demands.
• Cultural Resonance: Aligns with a growing consensus among wrestlers about cannabis’s wellness benefits.

Sabu, an ECW legend, is known for both his hardcore wrestling style and his longstanding use of cannabis for recovery. His career offers a powerful example of cannabis’s role in sustaining athletes through intense physical punishment.

• Cannabis Tenure: Consistent user throughout a decades-long wrestling career.
• Public Scrutiny: Arrested in 2006 with Rob Van Dam, bringing his cannabis use to public attention.
• Recovery Strategy: Uses cannabis to manage pain from the extreme stunts of his wrestling.
• Longevity: Despite frequent injuries, attributes sustained career to responsible cannabis use.
• Advocacy Example: Seen as proof of cannabis’s potential for pain management in intense sports contexts.

Sean Waltman (X-Pac) has integrated cannabis into both his personal life and public persona. His candidness helps destigmatize cannabis among wrestling’s most influential fan base.

• Era Representation: Wrestled during WWE’s Attitude Era with D-Generation X.
• Open Discussions: Frequently talks about cannabis use in podcasts and interviews, focusing on recovery from wrestling’s physical toll.
• Stigma Reduction: Paved the way for growing acceptance by discussing cannabis openly among fans.
• Veteran Perspective: His journey mirrors that of many wrestlers who adopt cannabis after their active careers.
• Advocacy Path: Represents wrestlers using retirement as an opportunity for wellness advocacy.

Charles Wright, aka The Godfather, attributes his extended wrestling career and improved health to cannabis use. His testimonial embodies a broader recognition of cannabis as an effective harm reduction strategy.

• Career Saver: Credits cannabis with saving his career after injuries threatened its end.
• Substance Switch: Moved from alcohol and prescription painkillers to marijuana for pain relief.
• Physical Benefits: Reported significant improvements in knee and back pain.
• Public Advocacy: Promotes CBD and cannabis recovery among wrestling fans.
• Harm Reduction Model: Provides a relatable example for those choosing plant-based wellness over pharmaceuticals.

Jesse Ventura leverages his multifaceted reputation to champion cannabis legalization and wellness. His efforts span personal use, business, and advocacy for policy reform.

• Dual Leadership: Notable both as a wrestling legend and former Minnesota governor.
• Business Initiatives: Founded Jesse Ventura Farms and authored Marijuana Manifesto.
• Medical Advocacy: Supports medical cannabis for seizure management, notably for his wife.
• Policy Focus: Uses his political experience to argue for nationwide legalization.
• Advocacy Integration: Combines business, personal story, and policy reform to present a holistic approach.

Brian Kendrick’s career illustrates the stark shift in WWE cannabis policy, moving from punishment to acceptance. His story captures how wrestler advocacy contributed to policy reform.

• Policy Victim: Faced multiple sanctions for marijuana use under WWE’s old drug testing regime (2006–2009).
• Consequences: Experienced financial and professional setbacks from punitive measures.
• Era Transition: His persistence helped highlight the need for reform and greater acceptance.
• Cultural Evolution: Kendrick’s journey shows wrestling’s shift from prescription-centric to harm reduction.
• Advocacy Legacy: Represents wrestlers who helped drive acceptance and safer pain management options.

Professional wrestlers have developed sophisticated cannabis integration protocols for post-match recovery and injury management. Common consumption methods include edibles for sustained overnight relief (as used by Ric Flair), flower smoking for immediate pain relief (RVD’s preferred method), and topical applications for localized muscle soreness. These approaches reflect a nuanced understanding of cannabis pharmacology, with wrestlers tailoring their consumption to specific recovery needs. For fans interested in exploring similar wellness approaches, Herb’s strains for recovery guide provides detailed information on selecting appropriate varieties for different therapeutic goals.

The most compelling aspect of wrestling’s cannabis adoption is its role as an opioid alternative. Multiple wrestlers cite colleagues who died from pharmaceutical painkiller addiction, including Test (Andrew Martin), while public health authorities describe fatal overdoses caused solely by cannabis use as extremely unlikely, in contrast to opioids which are implicated in tens of thousands of overdose deaths annually. This harm reduction reality has driven the industry’s embrace of cannabis, with wrestlers recognizing that plant-based alternatives can provide effective pain management with lower addiction risk and fewer life-threatening side effects than many prescription painkillers. This narrative resonates beyond wrestling, offering a powerful case study for cannabis as a public health solution to the opioid crisis.

Despite widespread adoption, knowledge gaps remain regarding optimal cannabis use for athletic recovery. Herb’s cannabis and athletes guides provide educational resources for athletes seeking to integrate cannabis into their wellness routines safely and effectively. As more wrestlers share their experiences and business ventures succeed, educational opportunities will expand, helping to standardize best practices for cannabis use in professional sports.

For fans wanting to stay informed about the evolving relationship between wrestling and cannabis culture, Herb’s newsletter delivers bi-weekly updates on industry trends, athlete advocacy, and policy changes. This ongoing coverage ensures that the community remains connected to the cultural shifts driving cannabis acceptance in professional sports and entertainment.