A new documentary is shedding light on an infamous anecdote, recorded by country singer Willie Nelson in his 1988 memoir. The crooner’s claim–that he once smoked marijuana on the roof of the White House–gets verification in the film by the country’s president at the time: Jimmy Carter. For Nelson, who always played coy with exactly who he shared the joint with, the cat has finally been let out of the bag.
Willie Nelson And The White House
Mary Wharton’s upcoming documentary is entitled “Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President.” In it, she explores the then president’s relationship with a variety of musicians during his term in the mid-70s to early 80s. The film chronicles how Carter opened the White House doors to many artists at the time–including longtime friend Willie Nelson.
While Nelson talked about smoking a joint on the White House roof in his memoir, he never specified a companion. Later interviews, however, hinted at a friend who “happened to be a White House insider.” All signs pointed to the president’s son, James Earl “Chip” Carter III. In a 2015 interview with GQ correspondent Chris Heath, Nelson was asked if Chip was indeed his toking buddy that night. “Looked a lot like,” Nelson replied. “Could have been, yeah.” (2)
A Night With Chip Carter
Chip was 25 years old when he moved into the White House with his parents and younger sister. He inherited his love of music from his father, often acting as a self-described “unofficial liaison” between musicians and Carter’s administration. With so many musicians regularly visiting the White House, Chip had plenty of opportunities to hang out with legends of the era. Among these was Willie Nelson, the long-haired, pot-smoking country artist. (1)
When asked about Nelson’s anecdote in the documentary, Jimmy Carter chuckles. “It was actually one of my sons,” he says. Later in the film, Chip finally confirms the longtime rumors. He talks about the night of September 13, 1980. During a break in a set that Willie Nelson was playing at the White House, Chip invited him upstairs. They kept going until they reached the roof of the White House, where they could see a lit-up Washington for miles around. “We leaned against the flagpole at the top of the place,” Chip adds, “and lit one up.” (1)
A Penchant For Pot
Nelson doesn’t hide his joint-smoking habits and never has. As for the White House story and the night with Chip, the artist says he’s never denied it. “It happened, and it’s something that I don’t deny, you know,” he told GQ. “But I don’t bring it up all the time.” When asked if he thought it would have embarrassed the president back then, Willie Nelson disagrees. “Oh, I think he knew me and he knew Chip,” he replied. “There wasn’t much we could do to embarrass him.”
At 87 years old, Nelson still regularly smokes marijuana, claiming that it keeps him from having bad dreams and getting angry. In 2015, he came out with his own line of pot products: Willie’s Reserve. It doesn’t appear that the singer is slowing down anytime soon. While marijuana is seeing increased recognition for medicinal benefits, the substance’s safety is still debated. Willie Nelson feels like he is “the canary in the mine” when it comes to a life of regularly smoking pot. “At least watch me and see what happens.” (2)
