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Is Brad Pitt’s Pot Use to Blame For Divorce From Angelina Jolie?
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What could the reports of Pitt’s marijuana and alcohol abuse mean for the upcoming divorce proceeding?
Published on September 21, 2016

In 1993, Brad Pitt played the role of Floyd in the classic film True Romance, a black comedy that was written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Tony Scott. In the movie, Pitt’s character is perpetually stoned on the couch, watching TV and completely clueless to the drama happening around him. It’s one of his lesser roles as far as screen time goes, but perhaps the character of Floyd isn’t too far off from Pitt himself. 


As most of you probably know by now, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, one of Hollywood’s most powerful and popular couples of all-time, announced that they would be divorcing earlier this week. Together, the two stars have raised six kids, but due to what they call “irreconcilable difference”, Brangelina has decided to split back in two. As expected, there are a ton rumors floating around about why the married couple has decided to call it quits, speculation has ranged from Angelina’s weight problems to Brad Pitt’s dream about Gwyneth Paltrow. But, one possibility that sounds more reasonable than most is Brad Pitt’s heavy marijuana and alcohol use.   

According to a recent report by TMZ, Jolie became “fed up” with her husband’s excessive marijuana and alcohol consumption, and felt that his “anger problem” was creating a potentially dangerous environment for their six children. In the past, Pitt has spoken out about his heavy recreational use of cannabis during the ‘90s. But, during a 2009 interview with Bill Maher, the actor claimed that he had quit, stating “I’m a dad now. You want to be alert.” 

Unfortunately, in Jolie’s eyes at least, it seems that Pitt’s marijauna and drinking habits were becoming too much for her to bear. The couple resided in California, where cannabis is all but legal to use recreational at this point. So, will Pitt’s accused use of cannabis affect him during the divorce procedures? 

Well, it certainly could. According to Daniel Beck, an expert attorney in California medical marijuana law, allegations of marijuana abuse have no direct effect on divorce filings in the state, due to a law that allows for “no-fault” divorce filings. But still, his marijuana use could play a role in custody decisions for their six children. Jolie is reportedly seeking full custody of all of their kids, but also plans to give Pitt legal visitation rights. 

“Marijuana, like any other substance, can be abused,” Beck said. “The question is, what is the effect on the children? Even if someone has a medicinal [marijuana] card, if they imbibe with the children in the room, that could be looked at as something that is not in the children’s best interest.”  

One 1997 study conducted by researchers Kazuo Yamaguchi and Denise B Kandel showed that heavy cannabis use during marriage “greatly increases the rate of becoming divorced.” Still, although his marijuana use may be a major factor in the reason he and Jolie are splitting up, it’s seems unlikely that it will negatively affect him during the divorce proceedings (that is, unless more information comes out the shows Pitt’s drug use as a major hinderance to his children).

Well Brad, I’m sure it’s not easy to have the world watching as you get divorced from a gorgeously successful woman like Angelina Jolie and risk losing custody over your six kids, but keep your chin up. As long as you’ve been consuming your cannabis safely and away from your children, you should make it out of this divorce proceedings relatively unscathed.  

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Tyler Koslow
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Tyler Koslow is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer with an intensive focus on technology, music, pop culture, and of course, cannabis and its impending legalization.
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