Influence of Marijuana on American Music Industry

From Bob Marley to Louis Armstrong, marijuana has played a vital role in their successful music career. Back in the 1930’s, when weed vaporizers were not on the market, Los Angeles County put Louis Armstrong in jail for nine days because he smoked a joint while performing and Jazz music was labeled as “Satanic.” Being a strong advocate of Potheads, Bob Marley had done a lot more than just getting high; He was a very religious person, and smoking was like a form of meditation to him. Marijuana helped him to connect with his inner spirituality. Bob Marley once famously said, “Herb is the healing of the nation; alcohol is the destruction.” One study in the 1970’s found that marijuana enhanced the ability to perceive sounds at the very top of our hearing range, around 6000Hz. Not only do individuals under the influence hear these sound better, but they also reported enjoying higher-pitched sounds more.

In the 1970’s, a study found that people who had consumed marijuana before listening to music perceive that sound increased to 6000Hz. Reportedly, people who smoke weed before listening to music get a better-quality sound as well. Modern-day hip-hop artists, including Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa are also influenced by weed. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg showed their love for weed quite evidently on their famous track, “The Next Episode.” Many great rappers are born in Michigan, such as Eminem, Royce Da 5’9” and Big Sean, etc. So, if you are a cannabis lover and stay in Michigan, you may visit any legalized medical marijuana dispensary in Ann Arbor. Weed and music always shared a romantic relationship, straight from the beginning.

Continue reading to find out more:

1.  A Major Impact: Marijuana was appreciated by the Jazz musicians in the 1920’s and 1930’s, and admiring its dignity, many popular songs were written. Everyone knows the amazing journey of The Beetles and how the band members came to India in search of higher spiritual growth. They explored different forms of ganja in the land of spirituality and promoted the same ideas in the west, through their music.

• With poetic lyrics, Bob Dylan became a legendary classic rock sensation. Bob Dylan is the person who introduced marijuana to The Beatles. 
• In 1964, in a New York City hotel, The Beatles members smoked marijuana. 

2.  Cannabis and Rap music: Two of the greatest icons in the “Stoner Rap” category are Snoop Dogg, and Wiz Khalifa. Snoop Dogg and Cypress Hill are the early 90’s rapper’s who contributed the most in establishing the term “Stoner Rap.” They were both, the first who lead a lifestyle encircling cannabis. Many of their songs are about cannabis and in their music videos, we also see them smoking. Their merchandise and their shows are also about embracing the cannabis culture. 

• All the stoner rappers have their musical genres and specific lyrical style. This includes all the genre of stoner rappers, like 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne and especially Trap music artists. And also, the genre of Nate Dogg and Eazy-E is “G-Funk,” strongly related to the cannabis culture. 
• The term “Stoner Rap” makes sense when an artist establishes a positive lifestyle based on cannabis. 

3.  Pop Influencers: Famous teen stars Miley Cyrus and pop icons like Lady Gaga and Madonna also promote smoking weed. Miley has been seen wearing dresses with weed-graffiti on them during several occasions. She even performed on stage wearing a bodysuit that showed glittered leaves of marijuana plants. Lady Gaga, a proud New Yorker, famously stated in an interview that smoking weed has helped her connect with music spiritually.

You have the power to put the usage of cannabis into a gleaming light in society, like Wiz Khalifa. Being an extraordinary father, he knows the positivity and is open to the thought altering ideas the cannabis plant offers. It helps him to work hard and to make great music. Snoop Dogg has normalized the consumption of weed during his whole music career. 

Many great artists and musicians of all ages have been inspired by the usage of cannabis. If you are a budding performer who needs a little inspiration; cannabis may serve as a motif to become a better musician. In recent years, quite a few legislation initiatives have been passed to provide people with safe access to recreational marijuana as an option.