MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Thorne Peters, known for his colorful advocacy of marijuana, is back in jail. Peters was also jailed several years ago on other marijuana-related charges.
Peters, who has a website promoting marijuana use, also makes Youtube videos promoting weed. In one, he dumps a bucket of marijuana over his head like the ALS ice bucket challenge, calling it “the cannabag challenge.”
In 2011, he spoke with WREG after representing himself in court, urging people to smoke pot to “grab your blunts, your doobies, your bongs, your pipes, head to the nearest courthouse, the capital building, and smoke some pot.”
But Tuesday, the law came to him when police raided his Orange Mound home. The affidavit said they found a plethora of cannabis related items, including three jars of marijuana, a digital scale, and several glass pipes.
“We honestly feel like this is the underground railroad,” Peters’ partner, Linda Harrah, said.
She was with Peters when the home was raided. According to police, officers cut a lock on a gate around the house, inside of which were two pit bulls. One of the dugs, named Muggles, was hit with a shotgun blast.
Harrah didn’t deny what was in the home, instead saying they’re trying to help people.
“We’re trying to be peaceful and smoke an herb and they’re harassing us,” she said.
Peters sits in jail on a $30,000 bond.
“He’s always ruffled feathers,” Harrah said.
She’s now working to raise enough money to get him out of jail so they can continue to advocate for legal marijuana use.
“He would rather die standing free then living on his knees begging,” she said.
Peters is due in court February 11.