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Carlos Santana on the First Time He Smoked Weed

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

Carlos Santana shares that the first time he smoked weed was a mind-blowing experience.

The iconic guitarist shared the memory in a clip from the new documentary Carlos: The Santana Journey. Funny enough, Santana said that while he had been around marijuana for most of his life, he “never toked” himself.

He recalls in the video below how he was annoyed that the backing musicians being recruited for his band smoked weed. His biggest grievance was when they would play a song, they would often forget parts.

“I wish they wouldn’t smoke pot, man, so they could learn the damn song right and play it correctly,” said Santana.

Cut to Santana finally lighting up for the first time via a massive joint from his managers. Just watch until the end of the 1:19 video below for Santana’s reaction. It’s pretty priceless.

 

Santana is one of many musicians and other entertainers that have launched their own cannabis business. In October 2020, he unveiled Mirayo by Santana. The cannabis brand consists of gummies, flower and pre-rolls.

When the brand was first announced, Santana said in a statement, “In my experience, cannabis has special properties that enhance meditative reflection and creative expression. It can dispel negative doubt to reveal the everlasting gift of our uniqueness. With Mirayo, I hope to help people use cannabis as a door to a more benevolent behavior like kindness and compassion.”

So far, Mirayo by Santana is only available at dispensaries in California.

 

10 Best Rock Songs About Weed

Whether celebrating 4/20 or simply unwinding after a long day of work, finding the best rock songs about weed will surely add to your high. Fortunately, we’ve taken the guesswork out of creating the perfect high playlist with our latest song ranking.

From very strange cautionary tales to basically declaring your love for the herb, here are the ten best rock songs about weed.

 

  • 10. Neil Diamond - ‘The Pot Smoker's Song’

    Neil Diamond has written some of the most popular songs in history, but “The Pot Smoker’s Song” is one of his deep cuts. The song is rather bizarre. It features a jaunty chorus and spoken word verses of people warning of the use of weed. It’s super dated today and is more funny than anything. It’s basically the song equivalent of that “Marijuana Kills” ad from Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.

  • 9. Sublime - ‘Smoke Two Joints’

    Originally released by The Toyes in 1983, Sublime covered this tune for their album 40 Oz. To Freedom. The song’s essence is exemplified in this lyric:  “But then, one day, I met a man who came to me and said:/‘Hard work good and hard work fine, but first take care of head.’”

  • 8. Bob Dylan - ‘Rainy Day Women # 12 & 35’

    If you want to get technical, this Dylan classic isn’t really about weed. The man himself said in a 2012 interview with Rolling Stone the song has a Biblical meaning and is a reference to the Acts of the Apostles. However, Dylan is also no fool and likely knew he was having a bit of fun with the “Everybody must get stones” lyric in the chorus. Frankly, haven’t must of us, too?

  • 7. Jefferson Airplane - ‘Mexico’

    Grace Slick penned this song as a blistering take down of then-President Richard Nixon and Operation Intercept, which shut down the border between the United States and Mexico in order to deter Mexican-grown marijuana from entering the country. Tricky Dick is likely rolling in his grave at the thought of all the legal dispensaries operating in the country today.

  • 6. The Beatles - ‘Got to Get You Into My Life’

    Those lads from Liverpool were quite cheeky with this one. On the surface, it seems like just another silly love song written primarily by Paul McCartney, but it’s actually inspired by the first time Macca blazed up.

  • 5. Bob Marley & The Wailers - ‘Kaya’

    Truthfully, there could be a separate top ten list of just Bob Marley & The Wailers tunes about weed. We opted for “Kaya” on this list since “Kaya” is literally slang for pot, and the song is just vibes.

  • 4. Tom Petty - ‘You Don't Know How It Feels’

    Remember how the lyric “Let’s roll another joint” would often get terribly censored on the radio and MTV? It’s almost quaint now when you think about it, but a little controversy can yield major returns. As a result, “You Don’t Know How It Feels” remains a pensive stoner classic decades later.

  • 3. Peter Tosh - ‘Legalize It’

    The stigma of marijuana is practically nonexistent compared to 1976 when former Wailer Peter Tosh released his debut solo album Legalize It. Its title track makes a point to recognize people from all walks of life use weed. (“Doctors smoke it, nurses smoke it/Judges smoke it, even the lawyer do.”) The song also touts pot for its medicinal benefits. (“It’s good for the flu/Good for asthma/Good for tuberculosis/Even umbra composis.”) Tosh later said in a 1978 interview with NME, “Herb will become like cigarettes.” Honestly, he wasn’t wrong.

  • 2. Black Sabbath - ‘Sweet Leaf’

    A tender love song about ganja written by some kids from Birmingham, England set to a moody, doomy metal riff? Yep, that’s a pretty simple receipt for a stoner classic that holds up decades later. Tony Iommi’s coughing at the top of the track really sets the mood too, as does Bill Ward’s drum solo.

  • 1. Willie Nelson - ‘Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die’

    I’m sure some of you will take issue with Willie Nelson topping this list about the best rock songs about weed, but Willie transcends and has done so for decades. Get over it, please and thank you.

    Now that that brief rant is over, this song is featured on Willie’s 60th (!) studio album, 2012’s Heroes. Willie isn’t alone on this track; he’s joined on vocals by Kris Kristofferson, Jamey Johnson…and Snoop Dogg! “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die” was released, appropriately, on April 20, 2012. The song showed Willie’s outlaw nature was alive and well, as was his sense of humor. It’s the perfect ode to a plant that has clearly brought Willie much joy over the years. There’s a chance if you’re reading this right now, you can relate. 

    “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die” is unapologetic about loving weed until the bitter end. When 4/20 rolls around every year, it truly is an iconic soundtrack whether you’re passing a joint or waiting for your edible to kick in.

Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock news blogger who's well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights

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Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter
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