15 Brilliant Minds Who Smoked Weed

High ideas, higher resolutions.

Why do people still think smart people don’t smoke weed?

Despite the rapid growth of cannabis legalization and mainstream acceptance, outdated stereotypes about cannabis users continue to linger. The classic “stoner” image—lazy, forgetful, disengaged—has been reinforced for decades by film, media, and political rhetoric. As a result, many people still assume that marijuana use is incompatible with intelligence, discipline, or ambition. This stigma runs especially deep in professional and academic settings, where cannabis use is often seen as a red flag or a barrier to success. But the truth is far more complex. Many high-achieving individuals, including some of the greatest minds in science, tech, politics, and the arts, have used cannabis either recreationally or as a tool for creativity and insight. These thinkers, creators, and leaders prove that cannabis and intelligence are not mutually exclusive—and may, in some cases, even complement one another.

1. Carl Sagan – Astrophysicist and Science Communicator

Carl Sagan, one of the most celebrated astronomers and science educators in modern history, was a quiet yet passionate advocate for cannabis. Writing under the pseudonym "Mr. X," Sagan contributed a powerful essay to the book Marihuana Reconsidered, where he described how cannabis enhanced his appreciation for art, music, and food—and even sparked some of his scientific insights. He credited marijuana with expanding his thought process, allowing him to view familiar concepts in new and fascinating ways. Sagan’s open-mindedness about cannabis reflected his broader philosophy of curiosity and exploration.

Sagan was the face of science for a generation, making complex ideas accessible to the public. His cannabis use reveals that intellectual curiosity and cannabis use aren’t mutually exclusive.

2. Steve Jobs – Apple Co-founder and Tech Visionary

Steve Jobs openly spoke about experimenting with marijuana (and LSD) in his younger years, claiming it helped him think differently and sparked his creativity. In a 1988 interview with Playboy, he called his cannabis and psychedelic experiences “one of the two or three most important things” he had done in life. Jobs believed these experiences played a crucial role in shaping his worldview, helping him build innovative products that changed the way we live. His use of cannabis was part of his larger quest to break conventional thinking and find deeper meaning in technology and design.

As the driving force behind Apple’s sleek, minimalist tech revolution, Jobs’s weed use challenges the notion that cannabis is incompatible with ambition or productivity.

3. Maya Angelou – Author and Civil Rights Icon

Maya Angelou, the legendary poet and memoirist, openly wrote about her cannabis use in her autobiography Gather Together in My Name. She described weed as a tool that helped her explore her thoughts more freely and experience life more vividly. Angelou saw cannabis not as a crutch but as a creative enhancer that added depth to her already extraordinary insights. Her writing, shaped by personal experience and philosophical depth, resonated with generations of readers.

Angelou’s powerful legacy as a voice for justice and dignity often overshadows the fact that she once found value in altered states of consciousness.

4. Bill Gates – Microsoft Co-founder

While Gates has never publicly advocated for marijuana use, reports from biographies and former colleagues suggest he used cannabis recreationally in his younger years. It's also notable that Gates supported marijuana legalization initiatives in his home state of Washington. His early experimentation with cannabis didn’t prevent him from becoming one of the most successful entrepreneurs and philanthropists of our time. As a billionaire philanthropist and tech mogul, Gates’s calm and composed public image rarely aligns with the stereotypical stoner narrative.

5. Francis Crick – Co-Discoverer of DNA’s Structure

Francis Crick, the Nobel Prize-winning scientist who helped uncover the double helix structure of DNA, was rumored to have used cannabis (and even low doses of LSD) to enhance his thinking and explore the boundaries of consciousness. Some accounts suggest that Crick even came up with the idea of the double helix while under the influence of psychedelics. For Crick, altered states of mind were not recreational—they were part of the intellectual toolkit. Crick’s cannabis use underscores how some of the most important scientific discoveries may have been influenced by altered states.

6. Rihanna – Music Mogul and Cultural Powerhouse

Rihanna has been unapologetically open about her cannabis use for years. But behind the haze is a razor-sharp businesswoman who’s built a billion-dollar empire spanning music, fashion, and beauty. She’s known for her work ethic, visionary thinking, and ability to shift culture. Cannabis, for Rihanna, doesn’t interfere with success—it exists alongside it. Rihanna’s public image as a carefree stoner is only one side of the coin. Her success proves that cannabis use doesn’t cancel out intelligence, drive, or business savvy.

7. Neil deGrasse Tyson – Astrophysicist

While Neil deGrasse Tyson hasn’t admitted to using weed himself, he has made thoughtful, nuanced comments about cannabis use, noting its low risk compared to alcohol and its potential benefits. He’s also defended responsible users and challenged the logic behind prohibition. Tyson’s perspective brings scientific rationality to the cannabis conversation, helping to remove stigma through evidence-based commentary. As a mainstream science communicator, Tyson’s open-minded take helps legitimize cannabis in intellectual circles—even if he’s not a user himself.

8. Barack Obama – 44th President of the United States

Obama famously admitted to smoking weed as a young man, even joking that inhaling was “the point.” His openness marked a cultural shift, moving cannabis from a taboo into a talking point in politics. Obama’s candid reflection on his past helped normalize cannabis use among professionals and politicians. As a former president, Harvard Law grad, and constitutional scholar, Obama proves you can smoke weed and still become the leader of the free world.

9. Margaret Mead – Anthropologist and Cultural Theorist

Photo by Britannica

A pioneer in anthropology, Mead publicly supported marijuana legalization as early as the 1960s. She testified before Congress in favor of decriminalization, citing its cultural and social potential. Mead viewed cannabis through a cross-cultural lens and argued that its demonization in the U.S. was more about fear than science. As a respected academic figure of the 20th century, Mead’s stance on cannabis shows just how long smart thinkers have questioned prohibition.

10. Elon Musk – Tech Entrepreneur and Engineer

Musk made headlines when he smoked a joint on Joe Rogan’s podcast in 2018, prompting controversy and even a dip in Tesla’s stock. But beyond the headlines, Musk continues to lead groundbreaking innovations in space, transportation, and AI. His openness about cannabis use fits into his broader philosophy of challenging norms and thinking outside the box. For someone often cast as a workaholic genius, Musk’s casual use of weed added a new dimension to his unpredictable personality.

11. Susan Sontag – Philosopher and Cultural Critic

Photo courtesy of IMDb

Sontag was known for her penetrating essays and intellectual rigor, but she also admitted to using cannabis in her youth. She believed it enhanced her perception and sharpened her awareness of beauty and complexity. Her reputation as a deep, serious thinker makes her cannabis use an unexpected but humanizing detail.

12. Hunter S. Thompson – Journalist and Author

Best known for his gonzo journalism, Thompson didn’t just smoke weed—he celebrated it. He saw it as essential to breaking down mental boundaries and tapping into raw, unfiltered truth. While wild in persona, Thompson’s writing was deeply structured and often brilliant—showing that chaos and intellect can coexist.

13. Alan Watts – Philosopher and Spiritual Thinker

Watts often spoke about his use of cannabis and psychedelics to explore consciousness. He viewed cannabis as a sacred plant that allowed for philosophical insight and ego dissolution. As a revered voice in spirituality and Eastern thought, Watts’ openness about weed bridges science, religion, and exploration.

14. Lady Gaga – Pop Icon and Performer

Gaga has been candid about using cannabis for pain management and creative energy. She credits it for helping her manage both physical ailments and the pressures of fame. Behind the glam and glitter is a strategic, classically trained artist who knows exactly what she’s doing.

15. Oliver Sacks – Neurologist and Author

The famed neurologist and writer experimented with cannabis in his early years and spoke about how it helped him understand the brain's perceptual systems. His curiosity and empathy as a doctor were deeply informed by his own altered experiences. As a celebrated scientist and physician, Sacks’ use of cannabis speaks to its potential to expand not just the mind but also compassion.

The people on this list are proof that cannabis use doesn’t make someone lazy, dumb, or directionless. In many cases, it’s been used as a tool for inspiration, relaxation, creativity, and even productivity. As the cultural conversation around weed continues to evolve, it’s important to leave outdated stereotypes behind—and recognize that smart people light up, too. Whether you're a casual consumer or just curious, this list is a reminder that intelligence and cannabis are not mutually exclusive. In fact, sometimes, they go hand in hand.