Video: 'Paul McCartney Busted For Cannabis 1973'

(Thursday, March 8, 1973) — Former Beatle Paul McCartney and his wife, Linda, were each fined £100 today after pleading guilty to a charge of growing five cannabis plants on their farm at Campbeltown in Scotland, following a raid by police on Sept. 19, 1972.

A crime prevention officer had visited the McCartneys’ estate (two farms called High Park and Low Ranachan) to check that it was secure while unoccupied and noticed five plants growing in the greenhouse along with tomatoes. He became suspicious and, on returning to the police station, consulted a reference book that identified them as cannabis.

As a result, three charges are brought against McCartney: one for knowingly cultivating cannabis plants, to which he pleads guilty, and two others of possessing and having control of cannabis to which he pleads not guilty, and which are subsequently withdrawn.

Video: '1973 03 06 BBC News Paul McCartney fined for growing Cannanis'

Following today’s hearing at the Campbeltown sheriff’s court, Paul pleads his case: “I don’t think cannabis is as dangerous as drink. I’m dead against hard drugs. It should be like homosexuality; legal amongst consenting adults… but the magistrate was sweet. I must admit though, I did expect my fine to be worse.” He then goes on by saying jokingly: “I was planning on writing a few songs in jail.”

McCartney’s solicitor continued pleading Paul’s case, telling the waiting reporters again that, “The plants had been grown from seeds sent through the post by a fan.” He also admits that this charge, as with John’s case from 1968, could have a serious effect on his career in America.

Later, the McCartneys hire a jet and fly back to London to resume work on his television special James Paul McCartney.