Is Elon Musk a smoker?

Elon Musk and the Rare Joint: A Moment with Joe Rogan

In September 2018, Elon Musk made headlines not for a rocket launch or a new Tesla model, but for something far more casual: a puff on a joint during a podcast. Sitting across from Joe Rogan on The Joe Rogan Experience, Musk took a small hit from a cigarette that Rogan described as a mix of tobacco and marijuana—legal in California, where the show was recorded.

Yet, despite the moment going viral, Musk was quick to clarify his stance. “I almost never smoke,” he said, distancing himself from any image of a regular cannabis user. “I’m not a regular smoker of weed,” he added, emphasizing that it wasn’t a habit. In fact, he admitted he didn’t even feel much of an effect—and more tellingly, didn’t see it as helpful. “I don’t find that it is very good for productivity,” Musk remarked, a telling comment from a man known for his relentless work ethic and high-output lifestyle.

The incident sparked waves online, briefly crashing the stock of Musk’s company at the time—though his broader message was lost in the noise. Here was a billionaire, famous for pushing the limits of innovation, acknowledging a rare indulgence while making it clear it didn’t align with his drive. It wasn’t a statement on drug policy or a celebrity endorsement of cannabis culture. It was a brief, human moment—unscripted, awkward, and oddly honest.

In the years since, Musk hasn’t made a habit of such public experiments. Instead, he’s stayed focused on electric cars, space travel, and AI. The joint became a footnote—a fleeting lapse in an otherwise tightly controlled narrative of ambition and efficiency. For all his boldness, when it comes to habits, Musk seems to prefer staying sharp.