Like father, like son

2002-02-15 12:35

Florida - Police in north Florida arrested two sons of the late Jamaican reggae star Bob Marley on marijuana possession charges after finding several "big joints" in a car they were driving, officials said on Thursday.

Julian Ricardo Marley (26) and Stephen Nesta Marley (29) of Miami, were charged on Wednesday after police stopped a speeding Mercedes-Benz on a highway near Tallahassee, the state capital, police said.

"I walked up to the driver's door and smelled a strong odour of marijuana," said Florida Highway Patrol Sgt Hugh Cutchen. "In searching the vehicle we found eight big joints of marijuana."

One of the marijuana cigarettes was in a jacket owned by Julian Marley and the others were found under the passenger seat where Stephen Marley was sitting, Cutchen said.

Stephen Marley was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia including rolling papers. Julian was charged with possession.

The brothers, who are reggae musicians and were returning home from a concert in New Orleans, posted bail and were released from jail, Cutchen said.

Bob Marley, who died of cancer in 1981, was a marijuana user. Ganja, as it is known in his native Jamaica, is considered a sacrament in the Rastafarian faith and Jamaican lawmakers are considering a move to decriminalize its use in small quantities.

- Reuters