Video: 'John Lennon - Imagine (An Andrew Solt Documentary Film, USA 1988)' (Nov. 28, 1968, at 46:32-46:39)

(Thursday, November 28, 1968) — John Lennon of The Beatles pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis today at Marylebone Magistrates’ Court in London, one month after a police raid on his home allegedly discovered 219 grains of cannabis resin.

Lennon took sole responsibility in order to protect  his girlfriend, Yoko Ono, whom had recently suffered a miscarriage. He was additionally fearful that if they both fought the charges and lost, Ono may have been deported from the United Kingdom.

The magistrate quashed a charge of obstruction to justice, and then fined Lennon £150 plus court costs of 20 guineas. 

Although the judge exercised some leniency, the repercussions of the case continued for Lennon for many years. The conviction was a key factor in the Nixon administration’s efforts to deny Lennon a Green Card for residence in the U,S.