Geoge Michael

Once ageless, now aging rock performer George Michael, who started out on top and has been working his way down ever since was sentenced to eight weeks in jail.  All because of wrecking a London photo shop while high on MaryJane.  Reports were sketchy, so it was either a 4-by-4 or a battle tank . Michael was harshly punished because the accident was only the latest in a series of  marijuana-related driving issues.

The former household name told Desert Island Discs (on the BBC), that pot smoking was a problem, saying “Absolutely I would like to take less, no question.” Michael reportedly cut his dependency down from 25 to eight joints a day (reports the Daily Mail).

Michael’s closest friends, including Bono and Elton John allegedly tried to convince him to quit smoking (marijuana).

Michael arrived at court in a long dark limo, escorted by four bodyguards to hear the magistrate browbeat him for not conquering his apparent need to drive while braindead.  Michael’s malaise during the July 4 accident was reportedly a combination of weed and other creative concoctions.

The actual penalty will be four weeks in jail and then whatever the British equivalent to parole is (license?), then 5-years banned from driving and fined $2,310 (1,500 pounds sterling) with additional court costs.

This is the first time Michael (born Georgios Panayiotou 47 years ago) will see the inside of a prison despite his various court appearances.  He previously had his license revoked, then fined and then com-service sentenced.  But jail has, until now slipped through his cannabis-stained fingers.

Michael had famously entered rehab to fight depression, insomnia and anxiety, where he was introduced to the wonderful world of prescription medicine.

The presiding judge told erect, serious, contrite Michael that he “accept(s) entirely that you have shown remorse for the offense, that you are ashamed of it, that you admitted it.”  Michael’s attorney told the court that “For the first time in many years he has started writing again.  His creativity, so long hampered by his drug dependence, is re-emerging.” That damned drug monkey is just everywhere!

Before this latest accident, Michael said on The South Bank Show that “marijuana (is) a great drug, but obviously it’s not very healthy.  You can’t afford to smoke it if you’ve got anything to do. Anything at all would be foolish.’  While smoking a joint on camera he said that it will “chill you out to such a degree that you could lose your ambitions.”

Aren’t we all glad that we don’t have the rich-and-famous monkey curse on our back.