confused about my prayers and my habit... need advice

Salam alaikum everyone... i'm really stuck and i need some honest advice, please read fully. so for a long time, people have been telling me that my salah won't be accepted because i smoke. i don't feel in my heart that it's haram, but i would never say the Quran says it's okay because i don't have that knowledge and i don't want to misguide anyone. i actually stopped praying entirely for a while because i kept hearing that my prayers were worthless anyway. i was trying hard to avoid big sins, but then one day i messed up really badly. on my way home after, the Quran suddenly started playing on my phone and i just broke down sobbing. i was crying from guilt and fear of what Allah might do, but also because i felt completely trapped - like i couldn't even turn to Him and ask for forgiveness since i smoke every day. it was a dark feeling. months later, i finally told myself: i'm done listening to people. i'm going to pray no matter what, even if my struggle with smoking is still there. i've always tried to be a decent person. i'm respectful, especially to elders, and my parents are my whole world. i love them so deeply, not just because Islam says so but because i genuinely adore them and hate causing them any trouble. i try to smile at others, follow the Sunnah of our Prophet peace be upon him, and just be kind. recently i even stopped wearing my gold jewelry for good (i'm a guy). it was tough because some of those pieces are from my mom and they're sentimental, before i'd only take them off for salah. weed has become part of my routine honestly. it helps me manage anxiety, keeps my anger in check, and just lets me enjoy life a little. i also really struggle with sleep, and it helps me fall asleep at night. i smoke in the morning, sometimes between prayers, and at night - but i make sure never to smoke right before i pray because i want to be fully present. i know i could get a medical card for my condition, but that brings other complications. my big questions are: is Allah really not accepting my duaa or rewarding me just because of this habit, even though it helps my mind? do i really have to choose between praying and smoking, or is it better that i keep praying anyway? and what do i do with all this guilt and confusion? i'm just trying to hold on to my connection with Allah through all of this.