Country music artist Jamey Johnson was arrested this past Sunday night in Williamson County, Tennessee, after he was reportedly found in possession of marijuana. The Tennessee Highway Patrol confirmed that Johnson was operating his vehicle at 87 miles per hour, well above the 70 mph limit on that stretch of Interstate 65. When pulled over shortly before 10 p.m., the arresting officer claimed to have smelled marijuana, leading to a search of the vehicle and the discovery of "several" bags containing marijuana and over 10 pre-rolled joints, as WKRN reports.
In addition to the speeding charges, Johnson faces a more serious legal issue, as he has been charged with drug possession "with intent to manufacture, deliver or sell," a Class E felony in the state of Tennessee. This could potentially carry up to a $5,000 fine, as The Tennessean reported. Johnson's fame, which rose steeply after his 2008 album "That Lonesome Song" which drew the attention of Mercury Nashville Records and led to success in the country music industry, may now be overshadowed by his legal troubles. The singer, who received multiple award nominations, including a Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance, is scheduled to appear in court on February 6, 2025.
It is important to note that while marijuana policies have relaxed in various parts of the United States over the years, Tennessee still enforces strict regulations regarding its use and distribution. Cannabis remains illegal in the state, and Tennessee is "one of only 12 states without a viable medical cannabis program and one of 19 states that continues to imprison individuals for possessing small amounts of cannabis," as highlighted in a report earlier this year by the Marijuana Policy Project, and referred to by Rolling Stone.
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