Heavy-metal superstar Ivan Moody talks sobriety, joining the cannabis industry and the road ahead
Photos by Denise Truscello
When Ivan Moody, frontman for the internationally successful heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch realized he needed a change from all the alcohol and the excessive number of doctor-prescribed medications he was using, he turned to cannabis.
Moody credits cannabis for not only his emotional and physical relief, but for replacing a handful of medications he was using to treat his anxiety, lack of appetite and depression.
After five years of sobriety the heavy metal superstar has transitioned from being a medical cannabis patient to becoming a cannabis entrepreneur with the launch of his high-end cannabis line, Greenings, featuring a variety of premium flower, infused pre-rolls and gummies.
Marijuana Venture reached out to Moody to discuss his road to sobriety, his CBD brand Moody’s Medicinals and his recent entry into the cannabis industry.
Marijuana Venture: What was the moment you realized you needed to eliminate or drastically reduce alcohol from your lifestyle?
Ivan Moody: That started back when I was in Motograter. I started realizing that I liked alcohol way too much. The relationship with me and alcohol started when I was very young. It was a gradual build, and throughout that time I realized piece by piece how it was affecting my life – being a “rockstar” it kind of goes hand in hand with that mentality and lifestyles. So I didn’t give it a second thought – I thought it was what I was supposed to do. So to answer your question – it was a lot earlier than you would assume.
MV: Beyond lending your name and celebrity status to Moody’s Medicinals and Greenings, how involved are you with the business side of the two brands?
IM: As much as I can be. My schedule has never been anything less than grueling so I do my best at every moment to be involved as much as I can. I have never been one to support anything I wouldn’t do myself. It’s never about the money. It’s about the end result.
MV: Why did you decide to go the cannabis route?
IM: Growing up in Denver, I was exposed at an early age to things such as marijuana, CBD & other holistic forms of medicine. It’s always been in my life and became even more of an important part of my life when its healing properties helped me swap out three out of the five prescriptions I was prescribed for night terrors, anxiety, depression and lack of appetite. In addition it has been a partner of mine on my road to recovery, and will continue to be for the remainder of my days. As a businessman, I choose to invest in entities that I believe in firsthand and cannabis couldn’t be more of a “natural” fit for me.
MV: What are your thoughts on your business model?
IM: My business model started with the launch of Moody’s Medicinals, my high-quality CBD product line, in 2019. In just three years we’ve built the brand up and have a huge following of supporters who live and die by the products (myself included). The success of Moody’s is what inspired me to launch Greenings. My business model for both brands has always been this – Give the best I can, period. This is nothing shy of that.
MV: Are there expansion plans?
IM: Hell yeah. My team and I are working hard to expand the brand to dispensaries around the country.
MV: What do you love best about the cannabis industry?
IM: I love how it’s natural and isn’t filled with man-made chemicals that leave you feeling lethargic and dullard like other traditional forms of medicine. With cannabis, you can control dosage, experiment with different strains and different ways to consume. It’s a fun new/old industry with fresh, new eyes and ideas. That in itself is fun and gets me “high.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.