SAN ANTONIO (WTHR) — It's the end of an era for Willie Nelson.

The legendary country singer said he's no longer smoking marijuana due to ongoing breathing issues.

In April, he told Rolling Stone magazine marijuana became his singular drug of choice after giving up cigarettes and whiskey in 1978. He credits weed to saving his life.

"I wouldn't be alive," Nelson told Rolling Stone. "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."

While he didn't say he would give up marijuana altogether, he did say he's no longer smoking it.

"I don't smoke anymore — take better care of myself," Nelson told KSAT.

Nelson had to cancel shows for a month due to breathing problems.

"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," Nelson said.

Despite rumors about an impending death, the 86-year-old said he's "glad to be here" and "lucky to be here."