Chewing pot lands teenager in Galveston slammer

Comments:

Will someone explain this? NOT Possession of Marijuana but CHEWING it brought charges of Tampering with it or Fabricating it.
He may have attempted to swallow it, but that's not the charge. I'll bet my money he walks after his lawyer gets hold of this.

Posted by Zeke at 1/15/2013 7:10:04 AM

You shouldn't go to jail for eating a joint. Texas is a backwards a$$ state with ridiculous outdated marijuana laws. I hope I end up on the jury so I can let this kid go free...

Posted by Cheech at 1/15/2013 7:12:58 AM

What is there to explain? This is a prime example of of the next lazy welfare recipients i will have to help support. Lock his ass up for 20yrs and teach him a lesson!!!

Posted by JOEL at 1/15/2013 7:24:17 AM

@Zeke...What part of the charge don't you get. Tampering with it or fabricating it. I would say chewing up the evidence is TAMPERING!!

Posted by JustMe at 1/15/2013 8:56:34 AM

My question is: Why did they NOT charge him with Possession of Marijuana also? It is apparent he POSSESSED it, if he was chewing it and tried to dispose of it. Right?

Posted by Zeke at 1/15/2013 9:06:09 AM

Usually go with the higher charge of the two.
3rd degree felony for the tampering charge.
Possession of any usable amount would most likely be under 2 ounces and a class B misdemeanor.

Posted by theforce at 1/15/2013 10:05:13 AM

plus the officers smelled it.... You dont smell chewed marijuana. Someone was smoking it as well. Minor nothing. Cut him loose.

Posted by STEVE at 1/15/2013 1:05:08 PM

First of all study the Texas Penal Code people. Secondly and mainly, Joel how professional are you?You act like a little kid that got his feelings hurt. Seriously the person went to jail as the law requires. Why would a person such as yourself who is of rank here at the Galveston Police Department speak publicly like this and use such language. Think of how you are representing the department plus I do believe there is a policy that prohibits this behavior.

Posted by Jeff at 1/15/2013 8:32:51 PM

Cut him loose for committing a 3rd degree felony?
Not sure what you're saying, STEVE?
Regardless of what you may think about pot, it's still against the law in Texas. And as such, if you're in possession of it you can go to jail.
Probably would have been a minor nothing if he hadn't decided to eat the pot.
Keep that crap at home, problem solved for the most part.
Pot does have a distinct odor even when it's not burning. But, I would have to say, at least on a traffic stop, somebody was probably smoking it prior to or before the officer approached the vehicle.

Posted by theforce at 1/16/2013 1:04:41 AM