New Orleans Attorney Jason Cantrell Drops Marijuana Joint In Court, Gets Arrested

New Orleans city attorney Jason Cantrell was arrested for possession of marijuana and immediately suspended from his job after a marijuana joint fell out of his pocket in court.

Cantrell, 43, was in the Orleans Parish magistrate court when the joint fell from his pocket in front of police, reports Reuters. Cantrell has since been issued a summons for simple possession of marijuana. Ryan Berni, a spokesman for New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, stated:

“Jason Cantrell is suspended without pay pending further investigation. He was not acting in his capacity as assistant city attorney when the incident occurred.”

Cantrell’s wife is a candidate for New Orleans City Council. She stated on Facebook that she is “angry, embarrassed and disappointed” by her husband’s actions. LaToya Cantrell added:

“I absolutely do not condone his actions. He will accept the legal consequences as the judicial process takes its course.”

LaToya added that Jason Cantrell has submitted his resignation after he dropped the joint, but Berni stated that no resignation letter has been received.

NBC News notes that Cantrell is a first-time offender, so he was let go after the summons was issued. Besides being a private practice attorney, Cantrell also works as the part-time city attorney and handles cases in traffic court.

LaToya Cantrell also stated of the incident:

“I love my husband unconditionally and am very concerned for his health and well-being, and for that of our family. I hope that this incident will encourage Jason to seek the professional help.”

Do you think that Jason Cantrell should have been more careful to not let the joint fall out of his pocket in court?