WILLIE NELSON - NELSON PLAYS PRO-MARIJUANA CONCERT

Veteran country star WILLIE NELSON was one of several acts to play a pro-marijuana benefit concert in Austin, Texas on Friday (10Aug07) night. The 74-year-old performed at Austin Freedom Fest, alongside acts including Asleep At The Wheel. The gig was held to raise funds for four pro-cannabis organisations, including the National Organization For The Reform Of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and the Marijuana Policy Project. Nelson says, "We would like to see (marijuana) put in the same category as cigarettes and alcohol... where we can take it out of the hands of the illegal drug dealers. "Empty the cells of all the pot smokers and get them out of jail so you'll have more room for the child molesters and paedophiles out there who they keep releasing to throw pot smokers in. "The law needs to be changed."