The “Cali sober” lifestyle is increasingly more popular as people move away from alcohol and other drugs. Plants like cannabis or magic mushrooms provide some type of medicinal value or recreational relief, while bottles of booze or pills get cast aside. The Cali sober way is maintaining its role in the entertainment biz, with one country megastar saying cannabis has been key to keeping him on the wagon.
Rapper-turned-singer Jelly Roll recently told Taste of Country that he credits cannabis with helping him stay away from drugs. The star, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, served time in jail for drug and robbery charges before fame. After getting clean, the “Son of a Sinner” crooner continued to advocate for cannabis despite potential controversy.
“This is a hot-button topic, but, truly, marijuana has kept me sober,” Jelly Roll said. “I get in trouble for this all the time, but my stance on marijuana will always be the same: I believe marijuana has helped me, in so many regards, with my anxiety.”
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The singer added the plant is crucial in his recovery despite it being a tad contentious in the sobriety community.
“I have friends that are in the program (AA, NA, etc.) that are totally against any kind of mind-altering anything,” he said. “I have so much respect for those people. That’s just not how my sobriety worked out.
“I think a world without weed, Jelly Roll’s drinking codeine and popping Xanax and snorting cocaine again, but a world with weed, I’ll be alright,” the singer added.
Jelly Roll still has an occasional drink from time to time, as noted in the interview, but the star’s hard-partying days are long gone. He’s been outspoken about his battle with addiction to remove the stigma and help others overcome their demons. The singer even testified before Congress on the fentanyl crisis to help enact change.
With cannabis on his side, Jelly Roll puts focus on his career, family, and newfound passion for wellness. And while the singer may not be coming out with a pot brand any time soon, he’s definitely a friend of the weed community thanks to his advocacy for the plant’s potential.
