Atlanta City Councilman Antonio Lewis Detained for Alleged Marijuana Possession

Atlanta City Councilman Antonio Lewis was briefly detained by the police earlier this month after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana during a routine traffic stop. The incident took place at approximately 9:21 a.m. on February 2 when Lewis was pulled over for driving a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu with a suspended registration.

Details of the incident

The officer conducting the traffic stop reported detecting the smell of raw marijuana inside Lewis's vehicle. Subsequently, Lewis handed over a four-gram blunt of marijuana to the officer. Body camera footage obtained by FOX 5 gives insight into the encounter, showing Officer Kenneth Wilson informing Lewis of the marijuana smell and presenting him with two options: handing over the marijuana and receiving a ticket, or facing further search by police dogs.

Consequences

Lewis, who represents District 12 on the Atlanta City Council, was then placed in the back of a police patrol car while he was issued two tickets – one for marijuana possession and the other for driving with a suspended registration. The councilman was cited and released at the scene.

Impact and debate

Although Lewis did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital, the incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding marijuana possession laws. Atlanta's city council previously decriminalized the possession of marijuana up to an ounce in October 2017, reducing the offense from an arrestable offense to a simple citation. The local ordinance significantly reduced the penalty for possession of marijuana to a $75 fine, differing from the state law's punishment of up to one year in prison or a $1,000 fine for possession of less than one ounce.

The encounter between the Atlanta City Councilman and the police officer sheds light on the complexities surrounding marijuana legislation and enforcement, sparking further discussion on the topic.