Country artist Jelly Roll attributes marijuana to keeping him away from harder substances. He said sharing this gets him into trouble all the time, but it is the truth for him.
He said he would not be this fine and functioning without weed.
"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," he told Taste of Country in an interview published Friday.
Acknowledging the controversial nature of the topic, he reiterated his stance, emphasizing the positive impact marijuana has had on managing his anxiety and aiding in his sobriety.
"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," he added.
"This is a hot button topic, but, truly, marijuana has kept me sober."
Jelly Roll, born Jason DeFord, has been transparent about his past struggles with addiction and substance abuse.
His journey included a stint in jail at the age of 23 for drug dealing, as detailed in his June 2023 interview with Billboard.
"I never want to overlook the fact that it was a heinous crime," he told the outlet at the time. "This is a grown man looking back at a 16-year-old kid that made the worst decision that he could have made in life and people could have got hurt and, by the grace of God, thankfully, nobody did."
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Although the 39-year-old "Wild Ones" hitmaker remains on his path to recovery, he remains deeply committed to preventing others from falling victim to dangerous drugs.
In January, he took his advocacy to Capitol Hill, addressing the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. There, he passionately urged legislators to take decisive action against the proliferation of fentanyl in the United States.
"At every concert I perform, I witness the heartbreaking impact of fentanyl," he explained. "I see fans grappling with this tragedy in the form of music ... that they seek solace in music and hope that their experiences won't befall others."
"I'm not here to defend the use of illegal drugs, and I also understand the paradox of my history as a drug dealer standing in front of this committee," he also said.
"But equally, I think that's what makes me perfect to talk about this. I was a part of the problem. I am here now standing as a man that wants to be a part of the solution," he concluded.
In a December interview with People magazine, Jelly Roll emphasized the significance of leveraging his platform for positive impact. He expressed a deep commitment to providing support and hope to individuals grappling with drug abuse, striving to offer them opportunities for a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Jelly Roll, who recently revealed his disdain for most of his tattoos, faced multiple incarcerations due to drug-related charges before achieving success as an ACM-winning artist. His encounters with the legal system even resulted in the loss of his voting rights.
Nevertheless, adversity spurred growth for Jelly Roll. While incarcerated at 23, he seized the opportunity to earn his GED, marking a pivotal turning point in his life. Since then, he has been steadfast in his journey to infuse his life with meaning and purpose, transcending past struggles to carve out a fulfilling existence.
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