Famous People Who Have Used Marijuana and Why They Quit

Marijuana has long been a common theme in movies, music, and celebrity culture. Over the years, many public figures have also spoken openly about their personal experiences with marijuana, including times when their use became difficult to manage or began affecting their well-being.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), up to 30% of people who use marijuana may develop a cannabis use disorder.¹ This condition involves patterns of use that make it hard to cut back or stop, even when marijuana begins to impact daily life, relationships, or responsibilities.¹

Marijuana use can also intersect with mental health.² Some research suggests there is a complex relationship between marijuana use and depression, with the two often co-occurring. Some people report using marijuana to cope with anxiety, low mood, or stress, but heavier or prolonged use may actually worsen emotional well-being.²

Several celebrities have described navigating this dynamic themselves, particularly while managing the pressures of fame. Below are a few examples of celebrities who have spoken openly about using marijuana and their decision to stop.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga has spoken openly about experiencing marijuana use disorder and using marijuana to cope with the mental and physical demands of the music industry.³ She's also shared that she used marijuana to self-treat anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.³ At the height of her use, Lady Gaga said she was smoking as many as 20 marijuana cigarettes a day.³

Her experience reflects a pattern some people describe when using substances to cope with difficult emotions or physical discomfort. What may begin as a way to manage pain or stress can sometimes become something a person decides to address or change.

Lady Gaga has credited fellow musician Elton John with supporting her decision to stop smoking marijuana.⁴ She has said that he encouraged her to cut back and focus on her well-being, and she reports that she's now sober.⁴ Her story highlights the role supportive relationships can play when someone decides to change their relationship with a substance.

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt has spoken openly about using marijuana while struggling with depression earlier in his life. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he reflected on that time, saying, “I got really sick of myself… I was smoking way too much dope… I used it to deal with depression."⁵

Research suggests the relationship between marijuana and mental health can be complex.² Marijuana use and depression often occur together. And while some people use cannabis in an effort to cope with emotional pain, studies suggest it may also be linked to increased depressive symptoms.²

Pitt has said that a shift in perspective during a trip to Morocco played a role in his decision to stop using marijuana. Seeing severe poverty during his travels prompted him to reflect on his own life and priorities.⁵

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus has spoken openly about choosing sobriety and how it has shaped her life and career. She stopped smoking marijuana in 2017 and later quit drinking alcohol in 2020.

In an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, Cyrus said sobriety has “changed my entire life” and described it as something essential to her well-being.⁶ She reflected on how different stages of her life helped shape the person she is today, saying that those experiences ultimately led to personal growth and healing.

Cyrus has also shared that her path to sobriety included moments of reflection and setbacks, including briefly drinking again during the COVID-19 lockdown before deciding to stop for good. Looking back, she said those experiences helped her better understand herself and contributed to the creative and emotional healing she later expressed through her music.⁶

Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson has long been associated with marijuana in both his public image and advocacy work. Over the years, he has spoken openly about marijuana, appeared on Ziggy Marley’s song “Wild and Free,” which supports marijuana legalization, and pursued plans to open a cannabis business in Hawaii.⁷ He has also faced misdemeanor possession charges related to marijuana.⁷

In an interview with Vulture, Harrelson said he eventually decided to stop smoking marijuana because he felt frequent use was affecting his emotional presence. Although he said he enjoyed smoking, he explained that stepping away helped him feel more emotionally available.⁷ His story highlights how people may reassess their marijuana use over time and decide whether it still fits with their priorities and well-being.

Why Some Celebrities Choose to Quit Marijuana

Looking at these celebrity experiences reveals several common themes, including changing priorities, personal struggles, and the role of supportive relationships in recovery.

Lady Gaga has shared that she used marijuana to cope with pain, stress, and the pressures of fame.³ Brad Pitt described using it during a period when he was struggling with depression.⁵ Miley Cyrus said she stepped away from marijuana to stay clear-minded and present in her work.⁶ Woody Harrelson decided to stop after realizing it was affecting his emotional presence in relationships.⁷

These stories highlight how marijuana can sometimes become a coping tool. Over time, some people find themselves reassessing whether marijuana use still supports their goals, relationships, or well-being.

If you're wondering whether your substance use patterns may be affecting your well-being, this self-assessment may help you better understand your situation:

Treatment Options for Cannabis Use Disorder

If you're noticing changes in your own life or in the life of someone you care about, learning about treatment options is the first step in finding support that aligns with your needs and values.

Treatment for cannabis use disorder looks different for everyone, but often focuses on helping people learn how to identify and modify their behaviors and coping skills related to their substance use.¹ Because substance use disorders can involve cycles of relapse and recovery, treatment is often an ongoing process that may include multiple approaches and regular support.¹

Several evidence-based behavioral therapies have been shown to help people reduce or stop marijuana use.¹ These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps people identify and change thought patterns and behaviors related to substance use; contingency management (CM), which uses positive reinforcement to encourage healthy behaviors; and motivational enhancement therapy (MET), which supports individuals in strengthening their motivation to change.¹

Treatment programs may also include individual counseling, group therapy, or a combination of both.⁸ Currently, there are no medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for treating cannabis use disorder or for managing cannabis withdrawal.⁸ However, researchers continue to study potential medications that may support treatment in the future. Because each person’s experience with cannabis is different, treatment plans are often tailored to individual needs and may combine multiple approaches to support recovery.⁸

To better understand how addiction affects the brain and why quitting can feel so challenging, watch this helpful video:

Ready to Explore Treatment Options That Can Help You Reclaim Your Health and Well-Being?

You might choose to stop using marijuana for many reasons, like emotional availability, professional clarity, managing depression, or wanting a change. What connects these stories is recognizing that marijuana use was no longer serving them in the way they wanted.

If your marijuana use starts to feel unmanageable, you can look for recovery support. Whether you want to cut back or stop entirely, help is available.

Use Recovery.com to compare trusted treatment centers, learn about different approaches, and find care that fits your goals. Start your search now and take the next step toward a healthier future.