When Post Malone announced earlier this year that he was quitting smoking marijuana, it took many of his fans by surprise. For years, cannabis has been a major part of the Grammy-award winning artist‘s public persona. It wasn‘t unusual to see him light up a massive blunt during interviews or even live performances. But his recent decision to drop the habit, citing mental health concerns, has prompted a bigger conversation around cannabis use and moderation.
Posty‘s Past Pot Habit
While some musical artists merely dabble with weed to enhance their creative process or pass time backstage, Post Malone clearly had a genuine passion for it. He‘s happily showed off his glass collection, talked strains on podcasts, and helped normalize a plant that still carries stigma. His love for bud seemed as genuine as his tattoos.
So when Posty revealed that he felt compelled to quit smoking marijuana cold turkey, fans understandably wanted to know why.
When the High Turned "Horrible"
In a December 2022 appearance on the Full Send Podcast, Post Malone got candid about what prompted his sudden pivot away from pot. He described having a “horrible experience” after smoking some cannabis he got from a Los Angeles dispensary.
“It was laced with some shit,” Post conjectured. “It was a very terrible high."
He said the bad reaction made him feel deeply disconnected and unable to function normally.
"I [felt] completely insane and scared and very vulnerable,” Post recalled. “I never had a high like that."
For an artist who has smoked his fair share of weed, it‘s telling that this particularly disturbing trip made him rethink his entire relationship with the plant.
Recurring Anxiety and Depersonalization
In interviews over the years, Post has hinted that his affinity for pot sometimes went too far. Back in 2018, he admitted to doing “dumb shit” while high like calling lost loves at odd hours.
More recently though, his comments suggest cannabis was causing more serious mental interference. The disorder is known as depersonalization derealization disorder (DPDR) and involves feeling detached from one‘s self and reality.
Post said each time he smoked weed after that initial bad episode, he would experience recurrences of disturbing DPDR symptoms. He described it as an unsettling out-of-body sensation where he felt unable to control his own movements.
Post Malone Isn‘t Alone
While Malone‘s experience sounds deeply unpleasant, he isn‘t alone in noticing these adverse reactions from heavy cannabis consumption. Studies estimate that around 50% of regular marijuana users have experienced some feelings of depersonalization and anxiety. However most cases are temporary.
The likelihood and intensity of negative effects does seem to increase at higher doses though. This gives credence to Post Malone‘s suspicion that the troubling weed he smoked was abnormally potent.
With the wave of cannabis legalization, products have gotten increasingly more powerful. Concentrates like waxes, oils, and crystals now regularly test over 90% THC – the main psychoactive compound. Smoking these extracts can intensify undesirable side effects especially in frequent users with high tolerances.
Friends Share Similar Stories
During his podcast appearance, Post Malone noted that other members of his entourage ditched weed after having their own “schizophrenic breaks.”
While it may sound hyperbolic, psychological research has uncovered links between adolescent cannabis use and developing schizophrenia later in life. And in the short term, THC intoxication can certainly mimic schizophrenic symptoms like paranoia and psychosis.
Still, these extreme psychiatric reactions seem rare even among regular weed smokers. Having a group of friends all negatively affected likely points to exposure to unsafe products.
Ditching Dispensary Weed
Post Malone‘s bad trip occurred after he purchased cannabis from a licensed Los Angeles dispensary. This detail surprised many fans who assume legal retail weed is safer than black market alternatives.
However, Post believes the dispensary sold him tainted products intentionally enhanced with concentrated THC like crystals and live resin. This shady practice can give weed a more potent kick along with bigger profits.
While not the norm, cannabis testing labs and watchdogs have turned up evidence that some legal retailers do illegally spike their products. So quality concerns still persist even as legalization expands.
The Broader Influence
As one of the best-selling musicians today, Post Malone has an outsized influence on youth culture. So his revelations about quitting weed – a substance many fans casually use – are sure to spark some self-reflection.
While Post is clear his case was extreme, it may encourage others to evaluate whether their own cannabis habit is helping or hindering their mental health. Even for recreational users, moderation and taking tolerance breaks is often wise.
For impressionable teenagers, hopefully Post‘s account also underscores that starting weed too early poses risks. Brain development continues until around 25, so youth exposure can increase susceptibility to addictive behaviors and mental illness.
Final Hit
Post Malone cementing his place among the world‘s biggest music stars while unapologetically smoking weed provided a counterargument to outdated Reefer Madness stereotypes. So his sudden about-face doesn‘t negate cannabis‘ potential upsides. Rather, it‘s a prominent reminder that – as with alcohol and other drugs – adverse effects can manifest with chronic heavy use.
While Post Malone‘s days of kicking back with a blunt may be done, his case can still smoke out important truths about cannabis risks so others consume consciously.