Willie Nelson claims to have stopped smoking weed following life scare

Willie Nelson

In a rare public interview, Willie Nelson has revealed that he has stopped smoking weed after realising that his vice “almost killed” him.
The 86-year-old’s past tendencies have gone down in country music folklore, but they have also had a different impact as they have inspired many others within the genre to feel that they could sing about the vice without being ridiculed.
Speaking to KSAT TV in Houston, Texas, Nelson reflected back on his past and believes that his current respiratory issues are probably down to his old habits, before opening up on his path to marijuana and how it has almost proved fatal.
“I have abused my lungs quite a bit in the past, so breathing is a little more difficult these days and I have to be careful,” Nelson said. “I started smoking cedar bark, went from that to cigarettes to whatever…and that almost killed me.
“I don’t smoke anymore. I take better care of myself.”
However, when pressed about his general health and how he was faring, Nelson responded in typical outlaw fashion before revealing that he believes he’s just fortunate to be walking the planet.
“I don’t give a f***. I’m here and I’m glad to be here. I’m lucky to be here.”
Nelson has had a very busy 2019, with the legendary artist releasing a new album in ‘Road I Call Home’ – of which, the title track subsequently received a Grammy nomination for Best Country Solo Performance – and also appearing at the CMA Awards for a duet with Kacey Musgraves. The pair sung Rainbow Connection from ‘The Muppet Movie’.

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