No More Weed For Willie: Why The Country Singer Is Giving Up Smoking Marijuana

Country music legend Willie Nelson has given up marijuana in an effort to save his health at the age of 86.

The long-time marijuana legalization advocate made the announcement during an interview with KSAT, an ABC affiliate out of San Antonio. The revelation came to Nelson after years of mistreating his body he told the news outlet.

“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 don’t smoke anymore. I take better care of myself today."

Nelson took a break from touring back in August, canceling six shows for “breathing issues,” which he said hindered his performances.

"Your lungs are the biggest muscle you have got. So when you're out there working, you are working out," Nelson said.

Nelson also said during the interview that his past health habits “almost killed” him as he began smoking cedar bark and cigarettes back in Abbott, Texas, when he was young. He smoked his first joint in 1954, according to USA Today.

The news of Nelson’s departure from marijuana, was in contrast to his April Rolling Stone interview when he claimed cannabis “saved” his life. He now says about his weed-free lifestyle that, "I’m here; I’m glad to be here. I’m lucky to be here.”