13 Powerful People Who Changed Their Mind About Weed

Gov. John Hickenlooper (R-Colo.)

When Colorado voted to legalize marijuana, Gov. Hickenlooper was adamantly opposed, even saying he wished he could “wave a magic wand” to reverse the voters’ decision. But once the benefits of Colorado’s legal industry began to re-shape his state’s economy, Gov. Hickenlooper flipped sides. The state looked as if it could lead by example on how to create a regulated system for legal bud. Most recently, the Governor has once again flopped back, claiming the crime rates have increased and he won’t rule out working to recriminalize marijuana in his state. Most recently, he’s shown his true colors on the subject, vetoing a bill that would’ve made it so that adults and children with autism could use medical marijuana.

Miley Cyrus, singer and actor

Miley’s celebrity and outspokenness regarding bud help gain her a spot on this list. The wild child has been seen wearing weed panties and smoking that ganja. But in an interview with Jimmy Fallon she dug in deep. It turns out the pop star stopped her smoke sessions to gain more creative clarity in her music. Another reason for quitting? She had a horrific nightmare where she died during her Saturday Night Live monologue from being too stoned. Though Cyrus still agrees politically with marijuana, her personal use has definitely done a 180.

Woody Harrelson, actor

Party animal Woody Harrelson finally had to throw the towel in on his daily dank, telling his fans and fellow pot advocates that the plant he loved so much made him “emotionally unavailable”. He quit, for almost a year. But like any true follower, Woody found his way back to the ganja goddess, after a motivational speech from his friend Willie Nelson. Now he’s enjoying weed more consciously.

Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.)

In 2012, Sen. Cory Gardner opposed legalizing marijuana in his fair mountainous state. Well, the times have changed not only for the state of Colorado after legalization but also for this senator. Since January 2018, Sen. Gardner has served as the face of a bipartisan effort to make the legalization of marijuana happen in the US. Unabashedly, he has argued against the Trump administration and Sen. Jeff Sessions’ focused war on marijuana. Now, he’s launched a bipartisan bill with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-) to keep up the good work.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)

Previously, this senator opposed national legalization of Mary Jane. But like many of the powerful people who changed their mind about weed, this politician may be singing a different tune because of an upcoming election. Not wanting to run on with a title like “California’s Last Prohibitionist”, Sen. Feinstein now says she supports legalization on the federal level. For an extra measure, she says until then, the country has no right to meddle in her state’s marijuana industry.

David Stern, ex-NBA commissioner

Few people hold more power than professional athletes. They are the modern gladiators. Yet, the commissioners who regulate the bodies (and what goes into them) on the court or field are sometimes even more powerful than the players themselves. Stern famously tightened up marijuana policy while serving the NBA from 1984 to 2014. But now, as revealed in an interview with cannabis advocate and former NBA star Al Harrington, he supports removing marijuana from the league’s banned substances list.

The American Medical Association (AMA)

Organizations can hold more power than a single individual. The AMA is made up of many powerful people who changed their mind about weed, in fact. In 2009, the AMA put forth the recommendation that marijuana be removed from U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Schedule I category of drugs, making it available for research and medical testing. Their switch and move may open up the conversation between medical professionals and politicians. And, of course, it brings the country one step closer to understanding and taking advantage of all this plant has to offer.