The Connection Between Country Music And Cannabis
By Anthony Washington, The Fresh Toast
Love it or hate it – country music is a powerful genre…but what about the music and marijuana?
While it has always been popular, in the last few years it has had an explosion of fans. In the US alone, over 139 million listen. And not just old school like Barbara Mandrell, Dolly Parton, or Randy Travis…the new generation of singers including Zach Bryan, Luke Combs, Sturgill Simpson, Morgan Wallen, and Colter Wall. While drinking is big in the scene, what is the connection between country music and cannabis.
Country music and cannabis share a fascinating and evolving relationship, reflecting broader cultural shifts. While historically the genre leaned toward conservative values, recent years have seen a growing acceptance of marijuana within country music, both in lyrics and among its artists.
In the past, country music often distanced itself from marijuana, aligning with socially conservative values. A prime example is Merle Haggard’s 1969 hit “Okie From Muskogee,” which explicitly rejected marijuana use and symbolized traditional American values.
Despite this, outlaw country artists like Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Jr. and Johnny Cash embraced cannabis as part of their rebellious personas. Willie Nelson, in particular, became synonymous with marijuana culture, famously smoking on the White House roof during Jimmy Carter’s presidency.
Over the past decade, mentions of marijuana in country music have increased significantly. Artists like Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, and Eric Church have incorporated cannabis themes into their songs, often celebrating its use casually or humorously.
Songs such as “Burn One with John Prine” by Kacey Musgraves and “Might As Well Get Stoned” by Chris Stapleton highlight this shift toward normalization.
Interestingly, studies show that country music mentions drugs more frequently than any other genre, including rap. Marijuana references now outpace those of harder substances like cocaine or alcohol in some cases.
Cannabis has become a symbol of individualism and freedom within the genre. This aligns with country music’s tradition of storytelling about personal struggles and breaking societal norms. The changing legal and publicl landscape of marijuana in the U.S. has influenced this shift, making cannabis a more socially acceptable topic for mainstream audiences.
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