[This story gets an A+ for irony for being from Hempstead - a colonial name given to a homestead for hemp farming. --"R"R]

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (WPIX) — When Desmond Kelly strolled into First District Court in Hempstead Wednesday to deal with a motor vehicle violation he probably expected to pay a fine and go home, but things “blazed” out of control.

Nassau District Attorney spokesman Eric Phillips said when the judge asked Kelly to see the summons issued to him in regards to the violation, the Inwood man pulled it out of his pocket and – inadvertently – a small bag of marijuana came out as well. To make matters worse, the baggie fell right on top of the court officer’s shoe.

The court officer then yelled out “you’re under arrest” and according to Phillips, the packed courtroom let out a collective gasp. Court officials then charged and arraigned Kelly, 28, for marijuana possession.

This is one of the most boneheaded stupid idiotic mistakes someone could possibly make. Although, if cannabis were legal (as it should be), then nobody would have taken notice. Could you imagine the headline?

“Man drops something out of his pocket and picked it up!”

Not very newsworthy is it.

I’m sure that President Obama is still laughing. Someone pass him something to drink to treat his cotton mouth.

17 arrested on marijuana charges in Hempstead — Newsday.com
Responding to neighborhood complaints, Hempstead Village police arrested 17 suspects this week for marijuana possession and sales near Hempstead High School, police said. 

Fourteen people were arrested for possession and three for sales in the Wednesday drug sweep, village police said. All arrests were made on Linden Place, a block from a church and two blocks from the high school.

OK, first I just have to note the irony of people being busted for marijuana in Hempstead.

Second, I really tried to find an accompanying story of 17 suspects being arrested anywhere in America for alcohol possession and sales near a high school.  I couldn’t find any.  It seems that nobody is making any effort to sell alcohol to minors just blocks away from the high school.

Third, I’m betting that none of the 17 3 alleged marijuana sellers required any of their underaged customers to enter a 21-and-over adults-only well-lit building with security bars and cameras and required valid photo ID before selling marijuana to those underaged customers.

Fourth, I also will bet you that none of those 17 3 alleged marijuana sellers paid any sales taxes or sin taxes to the state of New York, unlike the sellers of alcohol in New York.