Willie Nelson quits smoking pot, saying it has damaged his lungs

Unofficial ambassador for weed, Willie Nelson, 86, has revealed why he has stopped smoking pot after 65 years, leaving the world stunned.

Country star and marijuana aficionado Willie Nelson has revealed that he has stopped smoking the drug after 65 years.

Nelson told San Antonio TV station KSAT that he has stopped smoking joints for good at the age of 86.

Willie Nelson performs onstage during MusiCares Person of the Year honouring Dolly Parton at Los Angeles Convention Centre. Picture: Getty

“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,” he said. “I started smoking cedar bark, went from that to cigarettes to whatever,” he said. “And that almost killed me.”

“I don’t smoke anymore — take better care of myself,” he said.

He did however say that he vapes and uses edibles.

Nelson has long touted the benefits of smoking cannabis, even calling his memoir Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die in 2012.

“I wouldn’t be alive. It saved my life, really. I wouldn’t have lived 85 years if I’d have kept drinking and smoking like I was when I was 30, 40 years old. I think that weed kept me from wanting to kill people,” he told Rolling Stone magazine. “It probably kept a lot of people from wanting to kill me, too — out there drunk, running around.”

Willie Nelson promotes 'Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die: Musings from the Road' in 2012. Picture: Getty

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He co-chairs the advisory board of the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

Willie’s Reserve, “a premium cannabis lifestyle brand,” was launched in 2016.

Numerous celebrities have told stories of smoking weed with Nelson, including Snoop Dogg, Chelsea Handler, Woody Harrelson, Jack Johnson and Owen Wilson among others.

Social media users responded to the news with shock.

The only person that could out-smoke @SnoopDogg, and he's calling it quits.@WillieNelson https://t.co/c47Gpx3tfx

— Whiskey Riff (@WhiskeyRiff) December 4, 2019

The weed industry just took a major hit... and not the good kind https://t.co/15rQFTYyjA

— Darbles_marbles (@DarblesM) December 4, 2019

The 1st sign of the end has appeared, Willie quit weed!

Quick somebody check and make sure Kieth Richards is still alive, and keep him off them damn coconut trees!https://t.co/LTiiIkcNd1

— Al McDonald (@nuTTTz_) November 29, 2019

@WillieNelson announced he has stopped smoking #weed
So listen up kids and stop smoking weed when you’re 86!#onthepatchagain #alwaysonhismind pic.twitter.com/NDCFxGTxfr

— Scott McC (@scottmccrickard) December 4, 2019

Dogs and cats, living together. MASS HYSTERIA.https://t.co/1xAm8iLSjV

— Brian Faughnan (@BrianFaughnan) December 4, 2019

I guess he smoked it all and there's none left!

Willie Nelson has quit smoking weed https://t.co/XLZtZgD1m1 #FoxNews

— SuperSoniQ (@buckeye_ice) December 4, 2019