Howard Arenstein Arrested: CBS Reporter Growing Marijuana
Long time CBS radio reporter Howard Arenstein arrested. That's the latest headline coming out of the nation's capital. Howard Arenstein was arrested for growing marijuana, according to the Huffington Post. Howard Arenstein is an award-winning journalist and long-time resident of Washington D.C.
The 60 year-old Arenstein and his 57 year-old wife, Orly Azoulay, were arrested early Sunday after police were tipped off that the couple was growing marijuana plants in their Georgetown backyard. The couple has four children together. According to the police report, Arenstein had eleven cannabis plants (each standing over eight feet tall) and six two-ounce baggies of marijuana at the time of the arrest. Each plant can produce up to one pound of pot.
The couple was released shortly after their arrest without having to post bail. Both Arenstein and his wife have been charged with possession and intent to distribute marijuana. The charges are fairly simple to explain -- when growing or merely having large amounts of marijuana (or any drug for that matter) individuals are usually charged with intent to distribute, under the assumption that such large quantities cannot be solely for individual possession and use. The fact that marijuana was neatly packaged into baggies also serves as circumstantial evidence of selling or distributing the pot. The police report did not indicate whether there were other items relating to the sale of marijuana present in the couple's house.
For Howard Arenstein and his wife, both face fines, community service, and potential jail time stemming from the Sunday morning discovery by police. No word from CBS as to Arenstein's employment status.
Related Resources:
- CBS News radio vet busted for growing pot (The Hollywood Reporter)
- Bob Marley's Daughter Pleads Guilty to Growing Marijuana (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
- Drug Cultivation and Manufacturing (FindLaw)