Former NBA player Iman Shumpert arrested in Texas for possession of cannabis

Former NBA athlete Iman Shumpert, known for playing on teams like the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets, and also the Season 30 champion of Dancing With the Stars, became arrested for cannabis possession while traveling last week.

Shumpert was in possession of 6.2 ounces of cannabis in his luggage on July 30 as he passed through security at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) en route to Los Angeles. According to the Associated Press, DFW Airport’s Public Safety Division, it was a “considerable amount of marijuana.” Police also reported that Shumpert had a Glock magazine with 14 nine-millimeter rounds in his bag, but no firearm, but this is not currently part of the charges.

The police report said Shumpert told officers he had cannabis in his bag and “asked if there was any way he could fly” so he could arrive on time to pick up one of his daughters.

However, the police refused and instead arrested him for a crime of possession.

In Texas, recreational cannabis is illegal and medical cannabis is only permitted under certain circumstances. Currently, possession of more than four ounces (but less than five pounds) of cannabis is a state prison felony. If convicted, Shumpert could face up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

It’s a cautionary tale for anyone planning to travel with cannabis. Many airports in constitutional states have relaxed restrictions on cannabis possession. Earlier this year, an airport in Canada considered allowing an on-site cannabis dispensary. Chicago airports installed cannabis amnesty boxes in 2020 for travelers to drop off their cannabis before their flight. In 2018, Los Angeles International Airport changed its policy to allow cannabis possession in the airport — but not on an actual flight.

Earlier this January, rapper Vic Mensa was caught with 124 grams of psilocybin capsules, 178 grams of psilocybin gummies, six grams of psilocybin mushrooms and 41 grams of LSD while at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia after returning from Ghana. He was charged with possession of narcotics. Despite this, Vic Mensa recently launched his own brand of cannabis called 93 Boyz in Chicago, Illinois.

Traveling abroad with cannabis has proven dangerous, as in the case of WNBA athlete Brittney Griner, who was arrested in Russia in February for possession of vape cartridges. Although she claimed the cannabis was used for medicinal purposes and she holds a US medical cannabis card, Russian judges on August 4 concluded she was guilty of her charges and was sentenced to nine and a half years in prison. The US is reportedly in talks with Russian officials about a possible prisoner swap to bring Griner home. Last week, the Biden administration made an offer to swap Russian prisoner Viktor Bout for Griner, as well as another American, Paul Whelan, who has been jailed since 2018 on espionage charges.

“I want to apologize to my teammates, my club, my fans and the city (Ekaterinburg) for the mistake I made and the embarrassment I caused them,” Griner said after the charges were filed. according to the Associated Press. “I also want to apologize to my parents, my siblings, the Phoenix Mercury organization back home, the amazing women of the WNBA and my amazing spouse back home.”