Written By: Zakc Karry Published: 05/04/2026
When we think of cannabis and hip-hop, we think of them as two sides of the same coin—like our left and right shoes.
But rarely does anyone ask: When did cannabis become a pivotal element in hip-hop culture? How have hip-hop and cannabis impacted each other? How has hip-hop helped shift cannabis from something legally taboo to socially acceptable? And which artists helped shape both industries?
To answer these questions, we have to go back to the beginning. Cannabis has influenced hip-hop since its earliest days. Artists as far back as the 1970s were known to indulge, though strict governmental restrictions kept it from being widely advertised. Cannabis has long been a staple in music history, but it wasn’t always as accessible or accepted as it is today. Artists operated in secrecy—what once symbolized rebellion and lawlessness is now promoted for physical and mental health benefits and is as simple as visiting a local dispensary in legal states.
Hip-hop and cannabis didn’t become widely visible until the early 1980s. One of the earliest recorded mentions appears in Jimmy Spicer’s 1983 track “Money (Dollar Bill Y’all),” with its sly reference to “cheeba cheeba y’all.” A more nonchalant nod followed in Whodini’s “Friends.”
Cannabis received its first bolder shout-out in 1988 when Biz Markie rapped about getting “a bud” and taking a hit. By the late 1980s, references surfaced from artists like Schoolly D and N.W.A (who, ironically, warned against weed on “Express Yourself” in 1988). Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, however, cannabis retained its underground, rebellious edge.
The shift toward mainstream acceptance accelerated in the early 1990s. In 1991, Cypress Hill released their self-titled debut album, openly celebrating cannabis culture and paving the way for others—B-Real and Sen Dog have often been credited with helping change attitudes in the genre, even influencing Dr. Dre’s perspective. It wasn’t until Dr. Dre dropped his groundbreaking album The Chronic in 1992—complete with Snoop Dogg’s contributions and cover art evoking rolling papers—that cannabis was truly normalized and cemented in hip-hop. A UC Berkeley study of popular rap lyrics from 1979–1997 found that drug references (especially to marijuana and blunts) jumped sharply in the early 1990s to about 45% of songs, rising further to 69% between 1994 and 1997. What began as cautionary tales about harder drugs gave way to positive portrayals of cannabis as tied to creativity, wealth, and status.
In 1996, California passed Proposition 215 (the Compassionate Use Act), becoming the first state to legalize medicinal cannabis with a physician’s recommendation. Hip-hop’s growing visibility helped normalize the conversation around the plant during this pivotal time. In the 2000s, artists evolved from users to vocal advocates for legalization and criminal justice reform, spotlighting the disproportionate impact of drug laws on communities of color. By the mid-2000s, many shifted toward entrepreneurship. Icons like Snoop Dogg (with Leafs by Snoop and later ventures), Wiz Khalifa (Khalifa Kush), Curren$y, and Berner (who built the Cookies empire, starting with popularizing Girl Scout Cookies) launched brands, invested in dispensaries, and created economic opportunities.
The powerful combination of cannabis and hip-hop fostered liberation and a multi-ethnic identity that rejected societal norms. It has helped normalize use, supported efforts to expunge past convictions, and enabled artists to build business empires aimed at generational wealth in Black and Brown communities.
Some of the most notable figures who have advocated for cannabis include B-Real (of Cypress Hill), Method Man, Redman, Berner, A$AP Rocky, Devin the Dude, and Ice Cube. Method Man, for example, turned his 1994 debut album TICAL—originally slang for a potent blunt—into a socially conscious cannabis brand. He later explained the title as an acronym for “Taking Into Consideration All Lives,” linking it to personal style, cannabis culture, and broader justice themes. Collaborations like Method Man & Redman’s chemistry further embedded weed positivity in the culture.
Cannabis and hip-hop have grown side by side, evolving from symbols of rebellion into forces of cultural and economic influence. What once existed in the shadows now stands in the spotlight, shaped by artists who transformed personal expression into global impact. Recent data shows cannabis imagery appearing in over 37% of U.S. hip-hop and rap music videos, underscoring its enduring presence. As legalization spreads and the industry expands, hip-hop remains at the forefront—not just reflecting change, but driving it. The relationship between the two is more than a trend. It is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of culture to redefine what was once condemned into something widely recognized and respected.
MAINTAIN ABOVE.
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