There has long been an association between artists and recreational drug use. By artists we mean those whose work comes under the umbrella term ‘The Arts’. This includes musicians, authors, painters and poets, as well as actors on the big screen and the stage. Go back to the later Romantic poets – especially Shelley, Byron and their entourage – and the stories are full of opium parties. Opium was widespread in use back then and could be considered the weed of the day.

Why is it, then, that many artists profess to using weed and other drugs to enhance their work? Let’s see in brief when you vape weed.

Does Cannabis ‘Open the Mind’?
If you check out any reputable weed vape store, you’ll find that there is quality marijuana available at sensible prices (along with the accessories to use it). The legalization of the drug in many states has led to these stores becoming very popular. So, back to use by artists: what actually happens when we vape cannabis?

The brain is a complex machine. Within it are millions of neurons and neural circuits. These are effectively the parts that tell all the components of our body what to do. Between each of these is a gap, and to bridge this gap we need a chemical called a neurotransmitter – think of it as a message going from one to another – as well as molecules called receptors. To keep it simple for you, this sequence is what makes, for example, your fingers move when you type.

There is one particular type of receptor called the endocannabinoid receptors, and these are the set we are interested in. They are associated with learning and memory, emotion and pain. Within marijuana there are also cannabinoids – more than hundred in fact – including the important two THC and CBD. THC is the psychoactive element in cannabis.

When a THC molecule meets with an endocannabinoid it changes the way your brain interprets the signal. The result is the hight, the free thinking feeling and various other emotive experiences that come with using cannabis. While it does not necessarily ‘open the mind’ what cannabis does is effectively derestrict your thinking as is normally prescribed by the brain. Now we want to mention some of the well-known artists who are open about cannabis use.



Artists Who Use Cannabis
With many popular artists campaigning for the legalization of cannabis in the USA and elsewhere it is no surprise that many have featured in the press. Here are a few we found:

- Sting, formerly of The Police and a renowned solo artist, has campaigned heavily for cannabis to be legalized and openly admits to using it in the creative process.
- Rapper Snoop Dog is so much of an advocate of the weed that he has his own brand!
- Lady Gaga, mega-selling recording artist and actress, is also an avid weed lover.
- JZ, one of the world’s biggest selling artists, is not shy about admitting to using weed for inspiration.

These are just a few of the many major artists and celebrity figures who support the legalization of cannabis and its recreational use. Let’s finish with a few words on how the cannabis market may be shaped in the future.

What is the Future for Cannabis in the Arts?
The topic of cannabis legalization is still argued about in political circles in the USA. However, there can be no doubt that legalizing weed has been a good thing. Those who enjoy it now have access to quality products, the industry supports thousands of jobs and is growing, and the governments benefit from taxation.