We all know some politicians have smoked weed. President Donald Trump famously says he never smoked marijuana, but in the modern era, he’s the exception, not the rule.

Politicians Have Smoked Weed

Many politicians have admitted to using cannabis. They include former presidents Barack Obama – who has written about marijuana use in high school and college – and Bill Clinton. Although, of course, Clinton claimed he “didn’t inhale.”

It crosses party lines, too. Former Republican President George Bush (the younger) has admitted to using marijuana.

But that’s just scratching surface. These politicians have smoked weed as well.

Sarah Palin

That’s right. The darling of the conservative right admitted to smoking marijuana once when it became legal in Alaska. She must not have liked the experience, as she remains opposed to marijuana legalization except for medical purposes.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

The former governor of California said he used marijuana because it was a leaf and not a drug.

Newt Gingrich

The former House of Representatives leader admitted to using marijuana – but he also once supported the death penalty for those caught with high amounts of marijuana. Somehow, considering Gingrich, that’s not all that surprising.

Michael Bloomberg

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg says he has only tried marijuana once but is a strong advocate for anti-drug laws. He once called marijuana legalization “one of the stupider things that’s happening across our country.”

Jack Conway

Former Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway admitted to using weed – but now says he completely regrets it. He even opposes medical marijuana in many cases. He also believes marijuana is a gateway drug. Here’s the catch: he’s a Democrat. They do things differently in Kentucky.

Lincoln Chafee

Not all politicians act one way and legislate another. Former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee not only admitted to using marijuana in the past, but also helped lead the effort to get marijuana decriminalized in his state. He’s also a rare bird politically – he moved from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party in 2007.

Gary Johnson

Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson has now run twice for president as a Libertarian. He is a strong advocate for marijuana legalization. He’s also admitted to using marijuana, although he did say he had stopped during the 2016 presidential campaign and he would have continued abstaining if elected president. Needless to say, that didn’t come close to happening.

Those are just a handful of the well-known politicians have smoked weed. It’s a long way from when no one would ever admit cannabis use, which was the norm for politicians just a couple decades ago.