Actor Woody Harrelson Quit Smoking Marijuana

By Keith Mansur

Oregon Cannabis Connection

Stoner legend Woody Harrelson told Vulture.com he has not smoked pot in a year. In an interview published online, Harrelson told the interviewer he felt like he was partying too hard so he decided to make the change. He is still drinking alcohol, however.

Harrelson gave the interview while in New York promoting his new film, Wilson, which is a new dramatic comedy by Craig Johnson. The news came as a surprise to the interviewer who explained that he was also “trying to quit” marijuana, and blamed the smoke for making them less productive, a point with which Harrelson agreed.

Harrelson told Vulture.com:

Vuture: What’s a misconception that people have about you?
Woody: [Another long pause.] They think I’m a party animal, which … I am a party animal. I mean, that might be one thing. But I am a party animal. But on the other hand, I haven’t … I’m now extremely moderate and … I actually stopped smoking pot almost a year ago.

Vuture: Mazel tov. That’s not easy. I’m also in the process of trying to quit.
Woody: Oh, really?

Vuture: Yeah, I had a problem with it.
Woody: Why? Just too much?

Vuture: It messes with my head and makes me less productive.
Woody: Yeah, that was a little bit of my issue. Just 30 solid years of just partying too fucking hard.

Vuture: What do you do to keep from relapsing?
Woody: Well, like, last night, someone had — not just good herb but sativa; really good sativa. There’s a joint, and beautifully rolled. I like a beautifully rolled … and I just was like, I mean, I’ve gone this long. It would be weird to just be like, “Okay, let me have a hit off that,” and then suddenly go back to smoking too much, which is … I don’t have a problem at all with smoking. I think it’s great. I think it’s a great drug, in terms of … Even cops say that the side effect is euphoria. Or the … what do you call it?

Vuture: The effect?
Woody: Right. The effect of it is euphoria. But when you’re doing it all the time, it just becomes … Well, you know. I feel like it was keeping me from being emotionally available. I really don’t want this interview to turn into a whole thing about that.

Vuture: Well, congratulations. It’s not easy.
Woody: I still drink. But I try to be moderate with the drinking, too.

read the entire interview here:

Is it confusing that a confessed big-time party animal would stop smoking marijuana an continue drinking alcohol? It does seem like an odd choice, but I am one that really enjoys a beer once in a while, and have no intent on getting “buzzed”. I am confident that Harrelson will return to the natural healing herb in a moment, but how long that moment is hard to say.

One thing is certain, Harrelson will continue to advocate for legalization and for it’s medical use. He is a longtime progressive and his feelings concerning others liberty and the proven medical value of the plant have not changed. Whether or not I can get an interview with him concerning cannabis in the near future is much less likely, however.

© 20017 Oregon Cannabis Connection. All rights reserved.