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NBA Star Zach Randolph Charged With Misdemeanor Weed Possession

NBA Star Zach Randolph Charged With Misdemeanor Weed Possession

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NBA Star Zach Randolph Charged With Misdemeanor Weed Possession

The charges are now official: Zach Randolph was charged with misdemeanor weed possession.

The ongoing saga of Zach Randolph’s weed arrest closed another chapter today when he was formally charged. Fortunately for the NBA star, his original charges have been dropped from a felony to two misdemeanors. Today, Zach Randolph was charged with misdemeanor weed possession and misdemeanor resisting arrest.

Zach Randolph’s Felony Charges Reduced to Misdemeanors

The whole thing started back on August 9. That night, cops rolled up on what they described as a party with loud music. Additionally, they said people were smoking and drinking.

Eventually, things got a little heated. At some point during the aftermath of the standoff between the cops and the civilians, authorities discovered Randolph with a large amount of cannabis. He reportedly had around two pounds of weed on him at the time.

Given the huge amount of cannabis he had, Randolph was originally charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell. That charge was a felony, and his bail was listed at $20,000.

Now, a few weeks later, prosecutors have reduced his initial charges. Instead of the felony charge of possession with intent to sell, Randolph has been charged with two misdemeanors.

One is for possession of more than an ounce of weed. The other is a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest.

According to early reports, if he’s convicted on both counts the basketball player could face up to one year in jail. But fortunately for Randolph, this is his first arrest. Because of that, it’s unlikely that he will face any real time.

Final Hit: Zach Randolph Charged With Misdemeanor Weed Possession

NBA Star Zach Randolph Charged With Misdemeanor Weed Possession

The Commercial Appeal

Randolph’s run-in with the law comes shortly after he signed a two-year contract with the Sacramento Kings worth $24 million. Before that, he played with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Shortly after Randolph’s arrest, former NBA star Rasheed Wallace came to his defense. Wallace went on record and said: “I know for a fact, he ain’t no dope dealer.”

Instead, Wallace made it sound like Randolph was just partying. “It seems to be—no matter who you are—the bigger the paycheck, the bigger the party,” he said.

Regardless of what happens with his misdemeanors, it’s unclear if Randolph will face any consequences from the NBA. The league continues to prohibit its players from consuming cannabis. In fact, earlier this summer NBA Commissioner Adam Silver doubled down on that position.

In an interview with Portland Trailblazers guard C.J. McCollum, Silver said that he didn’t think the league would be changing its rules anytime soon. “I don’t see the need for any changes right now,” he said.

Despite the league’s ongoing ban, multiple sources have reported that numerous pro basketball players regularly consume weed. Additionally, there is a growing movement among athletes—in the NBA and beyond—in favor of medical marijuana.

For example, former Chicago Bulls player and current Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said that medical weed could be a safer alternative for athletes than prescription painkillers.

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