George Michael Charged with Possession

Georgios Panayiotou, better known as singer George Michael, has been charged with possession of cannabis. Arrested back in July after crashing his car into a Snappy Snaps photo shop in Hampstead, north London, this popular 80's star also faces charges of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This is not his first run-in with the police, however - George Michael has a history of drug use and has even been banned from driving in the past.

George Michael isn't the first known star to engage in the use of cannabis, however. Pot is a popular drug of choice amongst the rich and famous, and many aren't all that careful about who knows they're toking out. Here are some other popular stars that have smoked pot (or continue to do so):

Michael Phelps - Most of us remember this Olympic athlete and the scandal that surrounded him when he was later photographed smoking a bong. Amusingly, when he came under fire from Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Whoopi Goldberg spoke up and revealed that she enjoyed smoking weed. No, Whoopi, noooo!

Actor Woody Harrelson and country singer Willie Nelson are both activists for the legalization of marijuana and have even participated in a smoke-in, hosted by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) to promote the legalization of the drug. Other participants at the 2005 smoke-in included Bette Midler, Ringo Starr, Tony Orlando, Robert Downey Jr, David Crosby and Graham Nash - just to name a few.

Popular rapper Snoop Dogg is a big fan of the weed. Everyone knows this, I'm sure, but we can't mention marijuana and not stick Snoop Dogg's name in there somewhere - It's like baseball and hot dogs.

Actresses Charlize Theron, Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore have all been photographed smoking joints and bongs in the past. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie are also known to smoke pot (big surprise there).

Barbara Streisand spoke about her weed usage in a 1972 Rolling Stone interview, talking about how it relieved her tensions and how other performers used to send it to her.

Handsome actor Matthew McConaughey played a stoner in the 1993 movie, "Dazed and Confused," and has been arrested for possession in the past.

Tennis pro Andre Agassi revealed that he used to smoke pot in his autobiography, "Open."

Popular musician Enrique Iglesias revealed that he used to smoke marijuana and used it to get inspiration for his first album, back in 1995. According to Iglesias, it didn't improve his writing - and in fact, made it worse. Coupled with the bad writing, he didn't like the way it made him feel or the paranoia it caused, so he quit using it. Another musician who used to smoke pot but doesn't anymore? Sir Elton John. Due to his heavy toking, Elton John had to undergo surgery to save his voice.

There are a large number of stars and celebrities who smoke pot and even California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has said it's time to consider legalizing marijuana, but we can't forget that there are many involved with smoking weed. Whether or not one wants to believe it may be a gateway drug, opening doors to stronger, more dangerous drugs, there is still a dangerous risk of lung cancer. Additionally, as George Michael can attest to, smoking pot can also impair driving, affect judgement...and get you arrested.

Sources:

http://itn.co.uk/ - Breaking News on George Michael

http://jezebel.com/5144624/35-celebrities-who-smoke-pot

http://www.friendsofcannabis.com