Willie Nelson Doesn't *Smoke* Pot Anymore

You may have seen headlines circulating that Willie Nelson, country legend and cannabis advocate, has quit smoking marijuana altogether. While there is a bit of truth in that, clarification is in order. Thankfully, Willie's son, Lukas Nelson, took to Twitter to set the record straight. 

The shockwave started when Willie told KSAT TV, “I have abused my lungs quite a bit in the past, so breathing is a little more difficult these days and I have to be careful.” He added, “I don’t smoke anymore — [I] take better care of myself.” 

Recently, Willie has had to cancel a number of shows due to health-related concerns. Shortly after those quotes hit the blogs, Lukas Nelson reminded everyone that cannabis is an extremely versatile plant, and can be enjoyed in many fashions other than traditional combustion. 

"There is a lot of articles going around saying my father is no longer smoking weed. It’s almost 2020, how people ingest cannabis has changed," Nelson tweeted. "Between vaping, edibles, gummies, drops, etc. I think it’s safe to say Willie will never stop enjoying Mary Jane!"

It appears, though, that the tweet has since been deleted. What does still exist is a tweet from the Willie's Reserve official Twitter account that says, "No pigs in the sky, Willie's still getting high!!" 

No pigs in the sky, Willie’s still getting high!!

AT 86, Willie Nelson demonstrates there’s more than one way to get high. pic.twitter.com/l5JKvNuOs0

— Willie's Reserve (@WilliesReserve) December 4, 2019

The company Twitter also tweeted the day before the publishing of this article a photo of Willie holding a cannabis vape pen with the caption: "I'm not smoking anymore, but I'm not smoking any less either."

“I’m not smoking anymore, but I’m not smoking any less either.” pic.twitter.com/r0HM3QDb10

— Willie's Reserve (@WilliesReserve) December 7, 2019

Before primarily smoking marijuana, Willie has said he “started smoking cedar bark, went from that to cigarettes to whatever.”

According to Willie's Reserve's website, "For decades, as Willie and his band travelled from town to town, pot enthusiasts flocked to his shows, their pockets stuffed with offerings from their home gardens and local communities. They happily shared their bounty. And Willie gladly returned the favor."

"Willie does what he wants, when he wants, when it comes to smoking,” said Elaine Shock, Willie Nelson's spokesperson.