Lukas Nelson Shares How Leaving Behind Weed and Alcohol Helped Him Embrace Himself Again

Lukas Nelson.
Credit:

Matthew Berinato

NEED TO KNOW

• Lukas Nelson discusses his decision to quit drinking and smoking weed.
• The musician cites a desire for better sleep as a key factor.
• “I get high from making the right decision every time,” he states.

Lukas Nelson attributes his improved well-being to a newfound focus on sleep.

In an interview with PEOPLE, the 37-year-old singer-songwriter shared his choice to stop drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana nearly two years ago. This decision stemmed primarily from his desire for quality sleep.

“Every time I took a drink or smoked weed, it just messed up my sleep,” he explained, crediting a fitness band that tracks exercise and sleep metrics for his decision. “Even one drink would disrupt my sleep so much that I decided it was better to wake up feeling good.”

The son of country music icon Willie Nelson acknowledged that he has never been particularly fond of drinking. However, he noted that quitting marijuana proved to be more challenging.

“I got clear with myself and faced a lot of my fears, which turned out not to be that scary after all,” Nelson remarked. “Now, I can be truthful with myself without wanting to escape. I get a thrill from making the right choices now; I’m addicted to that feeling of saying no. It’s an empowering experience.”

Lukas Nelson at the 2024 CMT Music Awards in Austin, Texas.

Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty

Nelson also confronted his fear of flying, which led him to obtain a pilot’s license.

“I got my pilot’s license and accomplished many things I had previously avoided while using marijuana; I wouldn’t have attempted them before,” Nelson noted.

Despite his sobriety journey, Nelson has mentioned in past interviews that he does not consider himself “completely” sober, as he consumes mushrooms once or twice a year.

He also discussed his father’s reaction to his decision to quit smoking weed during an appearance on Howard Stern’s SiriusXM radio show.

“My father respects individuality and being true to oneself,” Nelson stated, adding that he learned that he didn’t need to mimic the mistakes of those he admired.

Lukas Nelson performs at the 2019 Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival in Tennessee.
Terry Wyatt/Getty

At 92, Willie Nelson has also ceased smoking weed, citing the need to listen to his body’s signals.

“My lungs have already said, ‘Don’t do that,’” he remarked. “Now, I mostly rely on a few edibles.”

Lukas and Willie Nelson are set to compete in the Best Traditional Country Album category at the 2026 Grammy Awards, with Lukas’s debut solo album, *American Romance*, released earlier this year and Willie’s album, *Oh What a Beautiful World*, nominated as well.

Reflecting on his journey, Nelson shared, “I was quite an awkward kid and often questioned my identity as the son of a famous figure. Music became my outlet, transforming my struggles into something beautiful. It truly saved my life, steering me away from dark paths and instilling a sense of purpose and confidence.”