World’s Worst Place To Smoke Pot? N.J. Men Toke Joint Outside Murder Trial, Cops Say

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — If there’s a list of the worst places in the world to smoke a joint, a pair of Atlantic County men may have found themselves a place in its upper echelon.

On Thursday - as a massive media presence gathered at Veterans Courthouse in Newark to cover a high-profile trial for the alleged murderer of New Jersey attorney Dustin Friedland – Essex County sheriff’s officers allegedly noticed the distinctive aroma of burning marijuana wafting through the air near Rosa Parks Plaza, which is adjacent to the courthouse, authorities said.

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That’s when the officers looked over to see William Snowden, 31, of Atlantic City, and Al-Terrie Turner, 48, of Ventnor, sitting on a bench and casually “sharing a marijuana cigarette,” the Essex County Sheriff’s Office said.

After arresting Snowden and Turner, officers noticed a “large bulge” in Snowden’s waistband that turned out to be 39 zip-lock bags of cannabis, police said.

Although recreational marijuana possession is legal in eight states and New Jersey has a medical marijuana program that doubled its production last year, the criminal penalties for non-medical cannabis possession of less than 50 grams can currently earn a pot smoker up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine in the Garden State, according to national cannabis advocacy group NORML.

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According to Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura, the men were at the courthouse to provide moral support for a female friend on trial for a separate matter.

“How they thought they could smoke pot in such a public and well-secured venue is beyond comprehension,” Fontoura said.

Police charged Snowden with CDS possession. He was also wanted on two Atlantic County warrants for narcotics and aggravated assault charges, authorities said.

Turner was wanted on an Atlantic County warrant for theft, police said.

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