JOHNNY KNOXVILLE

Nelson was cited for possession of marijuana and narcotic mushrooms after a Louisiana cop smelled trouble on the singer's tour bus during a traffic stop last week (ends22SEP06).

And Knoxville admits he was appalled that police didn't just let his pal drive on.

He says, "He gets arrested in Louisiana for weed? I mean if he's not singing a benefit for Louisiana or for the farmers he's singing a song about the city of New Orleans - and they bust him for weed?

"He should have rolling fields of marijuana to harvest at any time. Leave Willie alone, man... Let Willie smoke."

Source: WENN