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When Fame Met the Law: Vintage Photos of Celebrities Arrested for Marijuana

In 1949, Hollywood actor Robert Mitchum and actress Lila Leeds faced a major scandal in Los Angeles. Police arrested them for conspiracy to possess marijuana cigarettes. Both stars were sentenced to 60 days in jail. This event was one of the first times a major movie star faced prison time for drugs. Mitchum eventually returned to his successful acting career, but the arrest remained a famous part of his history. Only ten years later, burlesque dancer Candy Barr turned herself in to authorities in Texas for similar charges.

The 1960s saw many famous musicians get in trouble with the law. In 1967, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones were arrested at Richards’ home in England. Richards was charged with letting people smoke marijuana on his property. Jagger was also charged with possession. Later, another band member named Brian Jones faced similar charges in London. These arrests made the band look like rebels to their young fans. Even when they appeared in court, they continued to smoke cigarettes and act casually in front of reporters.

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The Beatles also faced legal problems regarding marijuana. In 1968, John Lennon and Yoko Ono were arrested after police raided their flat in London. A year later, George Harrison and his wife were also charged with possession. These events caused problems for the band members when they tried to travel to other countries. Even Paul McCartney faced trouble much later. In 1980, customs officers in Tokyo found marijuana in his luggage. He spent several nights in a Japanese jail before being sent home.

Other famous figures faced much harsher punishments. Dr. Timothy Leary, a former Harvard instructor, was a well-known supporter of drug use. In 1966, he was charged with smuggling the drug into the United States. By 1973, he received a ten-year prison sentence. His legal battles lasted for many years and were followed closely by the press. Leary often appeared in court with his wife, Rosemary, who supported his views on changing human consciousness.

Even athletes and political families were involved. In 1970, Robert Kennedy Jr., the sixteen-year-old son of a famous politician, appeared in court for marijuana possession. In the world of sports, baseball pitcher Bill Lee was fined 250 dollars in 1979. Basketball star Bernard King also pleaded guilty to possession in 1977. These cases showed that marijuana laws affected people from all areas of famous life. Every arrest was documented by photographers who captured the stars as they entered and exited police stations.

#1 Robert Mitchum and Lila Leeds, both at left, talk with their attorneys and real estate man Robin Ford, second from right, immediately after the screen players and Ford were convicted, Jan 10, 1949 in Los Angeles.

Robert Mitchum and Lila Leeds, both at left, talk with their attorneys and real estate man Robin Ford, second from right, immediately after the screen players and Ford were convicted, Jan 10, 1949 in Los Angeles.

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#2 In this Feb. 9, 1949, actor Robert Mitchum, center right, and actress Lila Leeds, left, are sentenced to 60 days in jail on charges of conspiracy to possess marijuana cigarettes in Los Angeles.

In this Feb. 9, 1949, actor Robert Mitchum, center right, and actress Lila Leeds, left, are sentenced to 60 days in jail on charges of conspiracy to possess marijuana cigarettes in Los Angeles.

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#3 Burlesque dancer Candy Barr, went behind bars after turning herself in to Bexar County Sheriff near noon, Thursday, Dec. 3, 1959, San Antonio, Texas.

Burlesque dancer Candy Barr, went behind bars after turning herself in to Bexar County Sheriff near noon, Thursday, Dec. 3, 1959, San Antonio, Texas.

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#4 Timothy Leary, a New York researcher who experiments with changing human consciousness, is scheduled to go on trial in Laredo, March 2, 1966, on a charge of smuggling marijuana into the United States. His 18-year-old daughter is also charged and is to stand trial at the same time.

Timothy Leary, a New York researcher who experiments with changing human consciousness, is scheduled to go on trial in Laredo, March 2, 1966, on a charge of smuggling marijuana into the United States. His 18-year-old daughter is also charged and is to stand trial at the same time.

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#5 This is a 1970 photo of Dr. Timothy Leary, in custody of federal marshals as he leaves the Federal Building in Houston, Jan. 16, 1973 after being sentenced to 10 years in prison on marijuana charges.

This is a 1970 photo of Dr. Timothy Leary, in custody of federal marshals as he leaves the Federal Building in Houston, Jan. 16, 1973 after being sentenced to 10 years in prison on marijuana charges.

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#6 Robert Kennedy Jr., 16-year-old son of the late Robert Kennedy, leaves court at Barnstable, Mass., after a hearing on charges of possession of marijuana, Aug. 6, 1970.

Robert Kennedy Jr., 16-year-old son of the late Robert Kennedy, leaves court at Barnstable, Mass., after a hearing on charges of possession of marijuana, Aug. 6, 1970.

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#7 Beatle John Lennon, right, and companion Yoko Ono are arrested for possesion of marijuana after their flat was raided in London, England, on Oct. 18, 1968.

Beatle John Lennon, right, and companion Yoko Ono are arrested for possesion of marijuana after their flat was raided in London, England, on Oct. 18, 1968.

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#8 Dr. Timothy Leary, 49, former Harvard instructor and exponent of using marijuana and LSD, is with his wife, Rosemary, 33, as they arrived for Leary’s trial in Laredo, Texas, Jan. 20, 1970.

Dr. Timothy Leary, 49, former Harvard instructor and exponent of using marijuana and LSD, is with his wife, Rosemary, 33, as they arrived for Leary’s trial in Laredo, Texas, Jan. 20, 1970.

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#9 Beatle George Harrison. Both Harrison and his wife George Harrison were remanded on bail until March 31 at Esher and Walton court acused of being in possession of cannabis resin without being duly authorised ghgal. Date: 18/03/1969.

Beatle George Harrison. Both Harrison and his wife George Harrison were remanded on bail until March 31 at Esher and Walton court acused of being in possession of cannabis resin without being duly authorised ghgal. Date: 18/03/1969.

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#10 Terence Harris of Porchester Terrace, Paddington – 29 year old pop musician Jet Harris – former bass guitarist with “The Shadows” – at Marlborough Street Magistrates, London when he appeared on remand on a drink-drive charge, and possession of drugs charge. Date: 11/09/1968.

Terence Harris of Porchester Terrace, Paddington – 29 year old pop musician Jet Harris – former bass guitarist with “The Shadows” – at Marlborough Street Magistrates, London when he appeared on remand on a drink-drive charge, and possession of drugs charge. Date: 11/09/1968.

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#11 Longhaired Mick Jagger, left center, holding cigarette, and Keith Richard, right, smoking cigarette, leave Chichester, England court, May 10, 1967 after electing to be tied by jury on drug possession charges.

Longhaired Mick Jagger, left center, holding cigarette, and Keith Richard, right, smoking cigarette, leave Chichester, England court, May 10, 1967 after electing to be tied by jury on drug possession charges.

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#12 Singer Ray Charles sits in Indianapolis Municipal Court during preliminary hearings on narcotics charges filed against him last November, Jan. 9, 1962.

Singer Ray Charles sits in Indianapolis Municipal Court during preliminary hearings on narcotics charges filed against him last November, Jan. 9, 1962.

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#13 Keith Richards, 23, guitarist of the British rock band “The Rolling Stones”, gestures with his hands in Chichester, Sussex, Great Britain, June 27, 1967. Richards will stand trial tomorrow for permitting premises to be used for smoking Marijuana.

Keith Richards, 23, guitarist of the British rock band “The Rolling Stones”, gestures with his hands in Chichester, Sussex, Great Britain, June 27, 1967. Richards will stand trial tomorrow for permitting premises to be used for smoking Marijuana.

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#14 Phil Lynott, guitarist and singer with rock group ‘Thin Lizzy’, at Richmond where he appeared at the local magistrates’ court accused of possessing cocaine and cannabis resin and with cultivating a cannabis plant at his home in Kew Road, Richmond. Date: 24/04/1980.

Phil Lynott, guitarist and singer with rock group ‘Thin Lizzy’, at Richmond where he appeared at the local magistrates’ court accused of possessing cocaine and cannabis resin and with cultivating a cannabis plant at his home in Kew Road, Richmond. Date: 24/04/1980.

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#15 Former Beatle Paul McCartney is rushed from a police car to a drug investigation unit in Tokyo after spending a night in jail on Jan. 17, 1980. He was arrested at Tokyo’s Narita Airport after customs officers found marijuana in his luggage.

Former Beatle Paul McCartney is rushed from a police car to a drug investigation unit in Tokyo after spending a night in jail on Jan. 17, 1980. He was arrested at Tokyo’s Narita Airport after customs officers found marijuana in his luggage.

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#16 Montreal Expos pitcher Bill Lee, wearing a Jackson Browne t-shirt, talks to reporters in a news conference at the offices of the American Civil Liberties Union in New York City on Sept. 20, 1979. Lee was fined $250 by baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn for marijuana use and is suing major league baseball in response, claiming abuse of his feedom of speech.

Montreal Expos pitcher Bill Lee, wearing a Jackson Browne t-shirt, talks to reporters in a news conference at the offices of the American Civil Liberties Union in New York City on Sept. 20, 1979. Lee was fined $250 by baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn for marijuana use and is suing major league baseball in response, claiming abuse of his feedom of speech.

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#17 Bernard King, former Tenn. basketball star and first round draft choice of the New Jersey Nets, is seen going to court in Knoxville, Tenn., Aug. 1, 1977 where he pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana and resisting arrest.

Bernard King, former Tenn. basketball star and first round draft choice of the New Jersey Nets, is seen going to court in Knoxville, Tenn., Aug. 1, 1977 where he pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana and resisting arrest.

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#18 Tony Curtis, famous Hollywood film star is pictured in London, United Kingdom, on April 27, 1970, before appearing at Uxbridge Court, Middlesex, England where he pleaded guilty to having in his possession a quantity of cannabis resin, when he arrived at London Airport Heathrow at night. He was fined £50 (dollars 120).

Tony Curtis, famous Hollywood film star is pictured in London, United Kingdom, on April 27, 1970, before appearing at Uxbridge Court, Middlesex, England where he pleaded guilty to having in his possession a quantity of cannabis resin, when he arrived at London Airport Heathrow at night. He was fined £50 (dollars 120).

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#19 Mick Jagger, lead singer of the Rolling Stones, and his former girl friend Marianne Faithfull after the conclusion of the case at Marlborough Street Court, in which they had pleaded not guilty to possessing cannabis resin. The charge against Marianne was dropped but Jagger was fined £200 with 50 guineas costs.

Mick Jagger, lead singer of the Rolling Stones, and his former girl friend Marianne Faithfull after the conclusion of the case at Marlborough Street Court, in which they had pleaded not guilty to possessing cannabis resin. The charge against Marianne was dropped but Jagger was fined £200 with 50 guineas costs.

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#20 Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones and actress Marianna Faithfull arrive for the resumed hearing of the case in which they have denied possessing cannabis resin. Date: 26/01/1970

Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones and actress Marianna Faithfull arrive for the resumed hearing of the case in which they have denied possessing cannabis resin. Date: 26/01/1970

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#21 Donovan Phillip Leitch, known a pop singer Donovan, who appeared at Marylebone Court, London charged with being in possession of the drug cannabis, with David John Mills, described as a musical director, who was charged with him, also known a ‘Gypsy Dave’.

Donovan Phillip Leitch, known a pop singer Donovan, who appeared at Marylebone Court, London charged with being in possession of the drug cannabis, with David John Mills, described as a musical director, who was charged with him, also known a ‘Gypsy Dave’.

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#22 Lead singer of the Rolling Stones pop-group, Mick Jagger, 25, and friend, actress Marianne Faithfull, 22, in London, England on June 23, 1966. The couple appeared at Marlborough St. Court charged with possessing the drug Cannabis. They were on remand from May 29 on £50 bail each. The case was adjourned until September to allow the couple to fulfill film commitments in Australia.

Lead singer of the Rolling Stones pop-group, Mick Jagger, 25, and friend, actress Marianne Faithfull, 22, in London, England on June 23, 1966. The couple appeared at Marlborough St. Court charged with possessing the drug Cannabis. They were on remand from May 29 on £50 bail each. The case was adjourned until September to allow the couple to fulfill film commitments in Australia.

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#23 Rolling Stones Brian Jones, right, and Swiss entertainer Prince Stanislas Klossowski de Rola, Baron de Watteville, in London on May 11, 1967. Earlier the two were remanded on bail until June 2, after appearing at a London Magistrates Court charged with being in possession of dangerous drugs, 50 grains of cannabis resin.

Rolling Stones Brian Jones, right, and Swiss entertainer Prince Stanislas Klossowski de Rola, Baron de Watteville, in London on May 11, 1967. Earlier the two were remanded on bail until June 2, after appearing at a London Magistrates Court charged with being in possession of dangerous drugs, 50 grains of cannabis resin.

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#24 Brian Jones, a member of The Rolling Stones pop group before appearing at the Inner Sessions House Crown Court in London, England on Sept. 26, 1968. He is charged with having possessing an unknown quantity of the Cannabis drug at his flat in London, without lawful authority.

Brian Jones, a member of The Rolling Stones pop group before appearing at the Inner Sessions House Crown Court in London, England on Sept. 26, 1968. He is charged with having possessing an unknown quantity of the Cannabis drug at his flat in London, without lawful authority.

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#25 John Lennon, one of the Beatles, and his Japanese girl friend, Yoko Ono, leave car to enter Marylebone court in London on Oct. 19, 1968. They appeared on charges of possessing cannabis, the British name for hashish. The trial was set for late November after the police asked for time to have the seized drugs analyzed.

John Lennon, one of the Beatles, and his Japanese girl friend, Yoko Ono, leave car to enter Marylebone court in London on Oct. 19, 1968. They appeared on charges of possessing cannabis, the British name for hashish. The trial was set for late November after the police asked for time to have the seized drugs analyzed.

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#26 Mick Jagger, lead singer of the Rolling Stones, and actress Marianne Faithfull, on their way to Marlborough Street Court on a charge of possessing cannabis. Date: 29/05/1969.

Mick Jagger, lead singer of the Rolling Stones, and actress Marianne Faithfull, on their way to Marlborough Street Court on a charge of possessing cannabis. Date: 29/05/1969.

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#27 Jamaican reggae artist Bob Marley in London, where he appeared at Marylebone Magistrates Court charged with possessing cannabis. Date: 06/05/1977.

Jamaican reggae artist Bob Marley in London, where he appeared at Marylebone Magistrates Court charged with possessing cannabis. Date: 06/05/1977.

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#28 Bob Marley, the 31 year old reggae singer, arriving at Marylebone Magistrates Court in London, where he was charged with possessing cannabis. Date: 06/04/1977.

Bob Marley, the 31 year old reggae singer, arriving at Marylebone Magistrates Court in London, where he was charged with possessing cannabis. Date: 06/04/1977.

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#29 Johnny Rotten, lead singer with the Sex Pistols, giving a double V-sign to journalists after he had been fined £40 on a drugs charge at Marlborough Street Magistrates Court, London. Date: 11/03/1977.

Johnny Rotten, lead singer with the Sex Pistols, giving a double V-sign to journalists after he had been fined £40 on a drugs charge at Marlborough Street Magistrates Court, London. Date: 11/03/1977.

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#30 David Bowie visits his attorney before his city court appearance in Rochester to answer to charges of illegal possession of drugs, Thursday, March 25, 1976. Bowie was arrested early on Sunday, March 21, 1976, folowing a concert in Rochester.

David Bowie visits his attorney before his city court appearance in Rochester to answer to charges of illegal possession of drugs, Thursday, March 25, 1976. Bowie was arrested early on Sunday, March 21, 1976, folowing a concert in Rochester.

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#31 Keith Richards, from The Rolling Stones, 29, accused of drugs and firearm charges, opens the door of car for girlfriend, actress Anita Pallenberg, 31, also charged with possessing drugs, on arrival at Marlborough Street Court in London, England on June 27, 1973.

Keith Richards, from The Rolling Stones, 29, accused of drugs and firearm charges, opens the door of car for girlfriend, actress Anita Pallenberg, 31, also charged with possessing drugs, on arrival at Marlborough Street Court in London, England on June 27, 1973.

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#32 Joe Cocker, the British pop singer who was ordered out of Australia after being convicted of possessing drugs, drives away from Heathrow Airport with his girl friend Eileen Webster. Date: 30/10/1972.

Joe Cocker, the British pop singer who was ordered out of Australia after being convicted of possessing drugs, drives away from Heathrow Airport with his girl friend Eileen Webster. Date: 30/10/1972.

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#33 Richard Neville, 29, editor and director of the underground magazine Oz. Neville, appearing on a drugs charge, was remanded on bail until January 6th by West London Magistrates. Date: 28/12/1970.

Richard Neville, 29, editor and director of the underground magazine Oz. Neville, appearing on a drugs charge, was remanded on bail until January 6th by West London Magistrates. Date: 28/12/1970.

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Written by Sarah Johnson

Sarah Johnson is a freelance writer and photographer with a passion for exploring the world. Her writing is both informative and engaging, offering unique perspectives on travel, food, and lifestyle.

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