Paul McCartney Explains Why His Pot Smoking Days Are Behind Him

It probably doesn’t surprise you to learn Paul McCartney smoked a lot of marijuana when he was younger. But it may surprise you to hear that he has completely removed the “drug” from his life.

During an interview with the Daily Mirror, The Beatles member admitted he stopped smoking because he wanted to set a good example for his children and grandchildren.

I don’t do it anymore. Why? The truth is I don’t really want to set an example to my kids and grandkids. It’s now a parent thing.

How has he replaced marijuana? How does he relax now? Well, he drinks alcohol, because we all know that’s less harmful than marijuana. I mean, it has to be…right? After all, alcohol is completely legal!

Back then I was just some guy around London having a ball, and the kids were little so I’d just try and keep it out of their faces. Instead of smoking a spliff I’ll now have a glass of red wine or a nice margarita. The last time I smoked was a long time ago.

The 72-year-old did admit that marijuana got him “thinking for the first time, really thinking,” and even claims it helped with his songwriting process. But now that he’s in his 70s, his health is the most important thing. He wants to be there for his eight grandchildren…

I do a bit of the cross-trainer, a bit of running, a bit of cardio and then I do some weights, some abs on the Swiss ball, before ending up on the mat doing a few stretches. And then standing on my head.

Pretty impressive. The only Swiss I know is the Swiss cheese on my tuna sandwich.