Thursday, September 21, 2006

EXCLUSIVE PHOTO: Willie Nelson's stash

When Willie Nelson's bus was searched on Monday in Breaux Bridge, LA on Interstate 10, a "routine traffic stop" turned into a drug bust. Louisiana state troopers found more than a pound and a half of marijuana (0.7 kg) and more than three ounces (91 grams) of psilocibin mushrooms. See photo above

The 73-year-old Nelson's was traveling west after performing at the Hank Williams tribute concert in Montgomery, AL on what would have been Williams' 85th birthday. The day before he headlined the Austin City Limits festival.

The online Post Chronicle reports: "Our friends TMZ.com spoke with a spokesperson for the Louisiana State Police who said, 'The tour bus was stopped on a common interstate vehicle inspection, and when the trooper approached the bus door a strong odor of marijuana was detected. The occupants were not brought to jail because it was not accepting [inmates] on misdemeanor charges.'"

The 73-year-old Nelson (pictured above) was charged with possession of both substances as were his older sister Bobbie Nelson, 75; Tony Sizemore, 59; Gates Morre, 54; and David Anderson, 50.

One of Nelson's recent albums, Countryman, featured a pot-leaf on the cover. The country singer is on the Advisory Board to NORML. Allen St. Pierre, NORML's executive director, stated: “This effort is a tremendous waste of criminal justice resources that diverts law enforcement personnel away from focusing on serious and violent crime, including the war on terrorism."

The source of the stash photo is the Louisiana State Police news release, dated Sept. 18.

The Smoking Gun, Mediabistro, Gawker, Defamer and Best Week Ever have posted the photo on their sites as well.

Recommended reading: Wichita Eagle blog editorial and Rick Cusick's High Times interview with Willie, which refers to the red heart tin seen in the stash photo.