Wille Nelson Continues Crusade to ‘Legalize Weed’

Willie Nelson has long been a proponent of legalizing marijuana, often speaking out about its health benefits. But the country icon does admit for all of pot's pros, there are cons, as well.

"You can overdo it. You can hurt your lungs by putting anything in your lungs that has heat and smoke in it," he tells CNN's Larry King. "But as far as being as dangerous as cigarette smoke, no."

Willie also acknowledges that although his experience with the substance has been positive, his situation may be unique. "I have a huge tolerance for it that maybe everyone doesn't have," he admits.

It was only a few months ago that several of Willie's band and crew members were arrested for possession of marijuana while in Asheville, N.C. for a show. But even with the threat of legal action, the 77-year old is completely undeterred in his advocacy of the drug. Asked by Larry if he had smoked weed the day of the interview, he replied, "Yeah, sure .... You could arrest me."

Willie has been outspoken in his belief that making the drug accessible would actually lower the crime rate in the United States and neighboring countries. "Legalize weed. It's 50 percent of what's causing the problems along the border with the drug cartels," he insisted earlier this year in a Parade magazine interview. "A lot of people who sell it want to keep it illegal because that's where the money is. The cartels are now in hundreds of our cities, growing and selling weed. Legalize it, and it would stop all that immediately."

Still, Willie says one of the biggest misconceptions about him is that he sits around all day and smokes weed. In fact, he is quite the health nut, playing golf every chance he gets and running to keep in shape. It seems marijuana is the Redheaded Stranger's only vice these days.

"I don't drink anymore," Willie tells The Boot. "That was always my biggest problem. I never did cocaine or any of those things. Alcohol was always my enemy, for as far back as I can remember. When I quit drinking and quit smoking cigarettes, a lot of my problems went away."

Willie will celebrate the 25th year of Farm Aid -- an annual benefit concert he began in 1985 to raise money for farmers across the country -- this October, with an all-star line-up of performers that includes Dave Matthews, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Kenny Chesney, Norah Jones, Amos Lee, Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews and Jeff Tweedy. More information can be found here.