Marijuana Suspect’s Daughter Asks Willie Nelson For Help

http://www.tokeofthetown.com/2011/07/marijuana_suspects_daughter_asks_willie_nelson_for.php

Photo: Jessica Vogel-Laberdee

Jessica Vogel-Laberdee: “We need the voice of a great man like yourself to speak out about the unjustice that my dad is facing”

​The daughter of a Spokane, Washington medical marijuana dispensary operator recently indicted in federal court is calling on legendary country singer and cannabis advocate Willie Nelson for help.

In an email to the Spokane Spokesman Review, Jessica Vogel-Laberdee asks Nelson, who plays locally at Northern Quest Casino on Sunday, “to speak out about the unjustice that my dad is facing.”

“I am aware that you owe us nothing, and doing this would be a gesture that would fulfill only my wildest dreams,” Vogel-Laberdee wrote, “but I am sending you this because there is a chance that you will step into my dad’s shoes (if only for a moment) and decide to take action.”

Nelson is on vacation and is unavailable for comment, according to his publicist. Willie’s had a few pot-related legal hassles of his own, with a judge recently rejecting a proposed plea bargain that would have resolved a misdemeanor marijuana possession case with a fine.

Photo: KREM.com

Federally indicted dispensary operator Jerry Wayne Laberdee

​ Vogel-Laberdee hopes Nelson will help her father, whom she described as “completely unconventional,” saying he “has the audacity to stand up for his belief that all people deserve to be happy, even in the face of illness.”

“He does not make any money for what he does, but he dedicates all of his time to his cause,” Vogel-Laberdee said. “He is a man filled with wonderful visions and has taught me to be an individual in a world of drones.”

Jerry Wayne Laberdee is one of five people federally charged with marijuana crimes for their work at Spokane dispensaries. The shops were raided by federal agents three weeks after being told to shut down.

Laberdee and Medical Herb Providers co-owner Dennis Whited — who began using medicinal cannabis after he lost his leg in a 2009 car crash — are charged with distribution of marijuana, which carries up to five years in federal prison; “manufacture of marijuana,” which carries five to 40 years; and “maintaining a drug-involved premise,” which carries up to 20 years.

All five defendants also face a forfeiture charge calling for them to give up any property or proceeds from their alleged “illegal operations.”

Here is the text of Vogel-Laberdee’s letter in its entirety.

5 Men in Spokane WA are facing decades in prison for abiding by State law, but the Federal Government is trumping the State’s decision to legalize medical marijuana. One of those men is my dad. He is the man who taught me to tie my shoes, ride my bike and most of all to be a good person. He is completely unconventional and has the audacity to stand up for his belief that all people deserve to be happy, even in the face of illness. He does not make any money for what he does, but he dedicates all of his time to his cause.

We are a family who needs to be heard. We need the voice of a great man like yourself to speak out about the unjustice that my dad is facing. I am aware that you owe us nothing, and doing this would be a gesture that would fulfill only my wildest dreams; but I am sending you this because there is a chance that you will step into my dad’s shoes (if only for a moment) and decide to take action. When you go to Spokane will you please comment on this to the public?

Here is a copy of my dad’s interview. Please take a minute to watch it.

http://www.krem.com/news/local/5-men-indicted-in-medical-marijuana-crackdown-125922098.html

P.S. My dad is Jerry Laberdee. He is a man filled with wonderful visions and has taught me to be an individual in a world of drones.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to a small voice with big thoughts.

Sincerely,
Jessica Vogel-Laberdee

Texas Judge Wants Harsher Pot Punishment For Willie Nelson

Photo: Hudspeth County, Texas

Vengeful Judge Becky Dean-Walker, who evidently gets her hair done at Trailer Park Skanks R Us: “If Willie Nelson gets off with nothing, I’m not going to be part of it.”

​A proposed plea deal in music legend Willie Nelson’s marijuana possession case has been rejected by a vengeful Texas judge who said she wants harsher punishment for the 77-year-old singer.

Nelson was arrested last November by the U.S. Border Patrol when they found several ounces of weed on his tour bus, reports Justin Harp at Digital Spy.

The bust went down at the Sierra Blanca, Texas checkpoint after Nelson’s tour bus pulled in and a Border Patrol officer smelled marijuana through the vehicle’s open door.

Willie had reportedly agreed to plead “no contest” to a charge of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as pay a $500 fine and $280 in court costs, with the presiding Hudspeth County Judge Becky Dean-Walker initially indicating her agreement.

The country icon had faced up to two years in prison for the marijuana charges.

Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune Herald

Willie Nelson needs harsher punishment, according to a Texas judge.

​ But the judge has now reversed her decision and will deny the plea agreement, citing a desire to avoid any accusations of favoritism due to Nelson’s star status.

The judge claimed she had “accidentally” signed off on the paperwork approving the plea deal for Nelson, then crossed out her signature, reports Dave Itzkoff of The New York Times.

“I did sign it before I realized,” Dean-Walker said. “I flipped it over and I said, ‘Oh, no.’ “

“I’m not going to be guilty of signing something because someone is a celebrity,” Judge Dean-Walker said. “Everybody should be treated the same in my court.”

Nelson’s case was handed back to County Attorney C.R. Bramblett, who has been tasked with deciding on a harsher punishment for Willie.

“He’s supposed to file the charge he feels is appropriate,” Judge Dean-Walker told The New York Times in a telephone interview. “Not what he feels he should do for his favorite singer. It is up to the judge to agree or not.”

The judge said on Tuesday that Bramblett previously asked to have Nelson’s charge reduced to a Class C misdemeanor and that she had refused. She attitudinally added that Bramblett “has made a habit of speaking with the press before anything has been resolved.”

Bramblett hasn’t yet commented on whether he will pursue the matter, or simply drop the case entirely.

Bramblett had previously suggested the marijuana possession charge against Nelson could be dismissed if the singer would agree to perform his 1975 hit “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” before the court. But Judge Dean-Walker quickly slapped down that idea, saying there would be no singing in her courtroom. Bramblett later tried to claim he had just been kidding.

Nelson has long advocated the legalization of marijuana, even co-chairing the advisory board of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).

Judge Dean-Walker said she was “not concerned” that the disagreement over Nelson’s plea was denying the singer his due process.

“At no point do I have to let him off,” the judge said, clearly relishing her power, along with the media spotlight. “If Willie Nelson gets off with nothing, I’m not going to be part of it.”

Ten Celebrity Potheads That Might Surprise You!

You already know that Willie Nelson loves the green, and you’re probably not surprised to hear Jack Black is a toker. Hell, you probably even remember when sweet Mary Ann from Gilligan’s Island got popped for marijuana possession recently.

But you might not be aware of these celebrities who like to partake from time to time. Here are 10 celebrity potheads that might surprise you

.

Kirsten Dunst- Just last year, Kirsten Dunst admitted she likes smoking marijuana. In fact, she said “America’s view on weed is ridiculous” and the world would be a better place if “everyone smoked weed.” No wonder she likes playing the role of Mary Jane in Spiderman. Okay, that’s a lame joke, but I couldn’t resist.

Charlize Theron- It wasn’t all that long ago that Charlize Theron was caught sucking smoke from an apple. The pictures were published in National Enquirer back in 2002. While Theron never admitted to her marijuana use, it’s doubtful that this was her first rodeo.

Brad Pitt- Whether on the set of Ocean’s Twelve or Thelma & Louise, one thing is clear: Brad Pitt likes to unwind after a long day of shooting with a little help from his green friend. Beyond the reports of on-set smoking, Pitt’s also been spotted on numerous occasions with T-shirts professing his love for weed.

Jennifer Aniston- This stunning actress has admitted her love for weed on several occasions. Back when she was still married to Brad Pitt, she confessed that she and Pitt used to smoke together on a regular basis. However, Aniston did make sure to point out that she smokes in moderation.

Harrison Ford- Harrison Ford has Bill Maher to thank for making this list. At a NORML conference, Maher told attendees it was high time Harrison Ford took a step out of the cannabis closet. I knew Indiana Jones had to be under the influence when he would pull off all those crazy stunts.

Morgan Freeman- In an interview with the UK newspaper The Guardian, this legendary actor told reporters he had given up his use of hard drugs, but that he would never quit his relationship with Mary Jane. In fact, he referred to marijuana as “God’s own weed.”

Michael Bloomberg- The 108th Mayor of New York City was once asked if he ever smoked weed before becoming Mayor. Not only did Bloomberg admit to his marijuana use, he said “You bet I did. And I enjoyed it!”

Justin Timberlake- Boy bander Justin Timberlake once said marijuana should be legalized. He told fellow star Nelly that it would cut the crime rate in half. According to Nelly, he and Timberlake love partying together, and they share a love for the green. So, that’s how Justin Timberlake could tolerate being in N-Sync for so long.

George Clooney- When shooting Ocean’s Twelve, the cast went on location to Amsterdam. The owner of a local cannabis café told reporters George Clooney was no stranger there. Apparently, the charming actor visits the store at least a few times a year. It makes sense if you think about it. Clooney is always calm and even-tempered.

Stephen King- Stephen King is the most popular horror novelist of this generation. Unlike some celebrities who recoil when asked about cannabis, King confidently states “I think that marijuana should not only be legal, I think it should be a cottage industry. It would be wonderful for the state of Maine. There’s some pretty good homegrown dope. I’m sure it would be even better if you could grow it with fertilizers and have greenhouses. . . .”

Willie Nelson/NORML PSA For Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition

www.norml.org – NORML Advisory Board Member Willie Nelson speaks out in support of the “Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011.” This legislation, if passed, would allow states the freedom to set their own marijuana laws independent of the federal government and pursue legalization.