As we know, music has always been an integral part of our daily lives. It is something that most people are at least passingly familiar with- whether it’s listening to your favorite songs, singing along, or dancing to them!
Music can influence how you feel about someone or something, and it can motivate you to do things you would not have done otherwise. What I mean by this is – for example, if you listen to enough rock music, then buying a new car might be motivated by a need to say “fuck you, I am driving my fucking car!” after paying too much for it.
Furthermore, there are many ways in which musicians use cannabis as part of their artistic process. Some create songs around a theme or idea that include references to marijuana, while others use cannabis itself as an element to describe the setting or character of a scene.
There have even been instances where artists have used actual marijuana in videos or performances, either to show off what they could do or as part of the joke/tribute to the drug. All of these examples prove that using cannabis is definitely within the realm of possibility for professional creative types.
History of the music industry
As we know, the music industry is not a static one. It is constantly changing due to technology, media coverage, and things such as piracy. However, one thing has remained constant throughout all these changes — cannabis!
Cannabis has played an integral part in the success of many musicians over the years. Some artists have even made it a feature of their songs about marijuana or use of marijuana.
Many famous musicians have used cannabis for its therapeutic benefits. These include helping with pain management, improving sleep quality, and reducing stress levels.
Some artists have experimented with using cannabis in entertainment settings, either for comedy or as an element of the story-line. Others have discussed the effects that marijuana can have on creativity and productivity.
Overall, cannabis use in the music industry seems to be increasing. This may be because more people are understanding the potential benefits of medical cannabis and/or because of the growing acceptance of recreational pot.
How the music industry affects musicians
As we know, the music business is not a simple or straightforward environment. It’s tough to make it as a musician unless you are already well-known, have wealthy parents or sponsors, and/or receive large amounts of attention for your work.
That’s why many people (including myself at times) struggle to understand how some artists seem to “lose their way” after they get into trouble with the law.
It seems like these individuals are chasing something that they can’t quite find any longer. And sometimes, it takes someone else to tell them that what they are doing isn’t good enough anymore.
I’m referring here to an artist who uses cannabis.
There has been a lot of media coverage about celebrities and athletes using marijuana in recent years. Some of these stories focus more on the negative effects that it may pose to their health, while others highlight the drug as a tool to help them relax or perform better.
How cannabis affects musicians
There are many ways that marijuana can affect artists. Some effects revolve around artistic expression, while others relate to finance or career opportunities. Artists can use marijuana for all sorts of reasons, from creative inspiration to improved concentration and focus.
Some studies suggest that habitual marijuana users may develop perceptual distortions and/or hallucinations. This could include thinking that things look very bright and clear when they actually look more blurred.
Another theory is that frequent pot smokers may perceive certain sounds as having deeper bass frequencies than they really do. This could be an issue if you’re a musician who needs strong bass for your music!
Whatever effect marijuana has on your art comes down to individual perception and personal experience.
Medical benefits of cannabis
Many musicians have found medical benefits to marijuana. It can help reduce pain or treat symptoms from diseases such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, chronic pain, and more.
Music is a form of expression that touches many different people. For some, it brings peace, motivation, or inspiration to their life, while for others, it helps them relax and focus on something less stressful.
For music artists, they often need to use their talent to make money, so having adequate stress management skills are important. Finding ways to manage your mental health is very important since your career depends on it!
There are several studies showing that cannabidiol (CBD), one of the most common active compounds in cannabis, has significant potential in treating anxiety and depression. Due to its non-psychotropic nature, CBD does not cause users to feel high like other components of weed.
Many individuals find that taming their nerves takes away all the distractions, making it easier to cope with daily tasks. Since nervousness can be caused by various things, this effect may last longer than just during treatment.
I know first hand how difficult managing mental health can be. As a kid, I would worry about what I said before and would overanalyze everything. This made me unhappy and distracted me from doing normal activities.
Since coming into my own as an adult, I learned how to control my emotions and understand why I felt the way I did.
Potential negative consequences of cannabis
Although marijuana has many uses, it also comes with some significant risks. While using cannabis can help you appreciate music more, it can also hurt your hearing or lead to mental health issues.
Music artists have been using marijuana since ancient times. Some even made famous songs about it! But, what is the impact of cannabis use on the music industry today?
There are several reasons why musicians may choose to use cannabis. One reason is that alcohol can be expensive depending on how much you drink, and some people cannot drink due to health conditions.
Another reason is that although marijuana is less harmful than alcohol, it still contains THC, the compound that gets you high. Many people find it easier to learn how to play guitar while under the influence of cannabis instead of alcohol.
Some groups discourage drinking because of the risk of car accidents, but for aspiring music makers, finding weed can be simpler than buying a bottle of liquor. There are now lots of ways to purchase cannabis legally, so it does not cost too much.
In fact, some musicians make money through selling marijuana as part of their career. A few well-known musicians have actually marketed themselves as being able to aid in pain relief and relaxation by consuming cannabis.
However, like any other drug users, there is an opportunity to encounter complications.
How cannabis affects musicians financially
As we have seen, music is an important part of most people’s lives. It helps create community, it offers expression to individuals, and it can be fun!
But how much money does the industry make? According to Business Insider, artists earn around $500 million per year.
That makes sense because they get paid for their songs!
However, that number includes all sources of income: album sales, song royalties, touring revenue, and more. It also doesn’t include the value of artistic influence or creativity that being involved with the music scene provides to aspiring artists. All this takes into account what cannabis has to offer the music industry.
Disclaimer: This article contains references to marijuana and other substances that are illegal under federal law.
Tips for working with cannabis in the music industry
As we know, the marijuana market is booming! People are spending money to grow their own plants or buying pre-made products to use in various ways.
Most notably, people are using it as medicine to treat a wide range of symptoms and conditions. Medical marijuana has been legalized in several states, and many musicians have used it in different capacities.
Some have mentioned using it during filming or while on tour to help manage pain, sleep, or stress. Others have discussed how it helped them relax and focus before a set or concert, or improved their overall wellness.
There are also some artists who have made light of smoking weed in front of the camera, or even promoted its use by marketing merchandise that features marijuana usage. Some have received criticism for this choice, though!
What about when you need to take a break? Many artists have spoken about needing time off after a long recording session, traveling for concerts, or recovering from an event. Having access to medical marijuana can be very helpful for these times, so don’t feel like you’re being excluded because of your favorite musician’s choices.
Keep your clients informed
As we mentioned before, music is a form of expression that everyone can relate to. Artists use cannabis for many reasons including stress relief, improved focus, and as an effective medicine or sleep aid. For some, it helps them connect with their inner self or explore other parts of the music industry they have never explored before.
Some artists even use marijuana as a way to promote health and wellness. More and more people are hearing about the benefits of CBD oil and how it has helped individuals reduce pain and improve quality of life.
Many musicians already know about the medicinal uses of cannabis but may not be fully educated on what products contain just THC and why that is important.
As professional musicians, your client’s well-being is very important so make sure you keep up to date on any changes related to cannabis!
Not only should you inform them of potential health benefits, but also discuss the legality of using cannabis in the workplace, whether for medical purposes or not.
Legalizing cannabis has been discussed at length across all mediums (news, social media, blogs, etc.) so making claims regarding employment laws will give your audience more information than just “it’s totally okay to do it!”
Hopefully this article inspired you to do some research or talk to others about legalities in the music business and what employers actually allow under drug testing policies.
