On the morning of February 2nd, Atlanta City Councilman Antonio Lewis found himself in a tense situation after a routine traffic stop. Body camera footage released from the incident reveals a surprised Lewis being informed of his impending detention after an officer detected the scent of marijuana emanating from his vehicle.
The incident unfolded when Officer W of the Atlanta Police Department pulled over Lewis’s silver Chevy Malibu. Initially, the reason for the stop seemed to be Lewis’s seatbelt, which Lewis claimed to have just removed after driving. However, the situation quickly escalated when the officer revealed that Lewis’s vehicle registration was suspended.
Atlanta City Councilman Antonio Lewis sits in the back of a police car
As Lewis appeared increasingly flustered, the officer requested him to remain calm. It was at this point that the officer mentioned the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The officer presented Lewis with two options: surrender any marijuana voluntarily and receive a ticket, or face a potential vehicle search with drug dogs and possible jail time if more marijuana was discovered.
Lewis denied ownership of the marijuana, stating that it wasn’t his and that he doesn’t smoke. He insisted that the only marijuana in the car belonged to his nephew, from whom he had confiscated it earlier that day. However, the officer informed Lewis that his denial didn’t change the situation, and he would be detained.
Lewis, visibly uncomfortable with the situation, requested to avoid being handcuffed but ultimately complied with the officer’s instructions. He was then placed in the back of the police cruiser.
Close-up of what appears to be a marijuana cigarette
While sitting in the back of the patrol car, Lewis attempted to plead his case, mentioning his status as a city councilman and highlighting the officer’s fair treatment. The officer proceeded to write up citations for the suspended registration and marijuana possession.
Throughout the interaction, Lewis appeared particularly concerned about the specific wording of the marijuana citation, wanting to ensure that it reflected the amount as less than an ounce, which would fall under the city’s decriminalization ordinance for marijuana possession. He reiterated that the marijuana belonged to his nephew, even detailing a previous incident involving his nephew and a marijuana-related offense on the Georgia State campus.
After issuing the citations, the officer released Lewis. As Lewis returned to his car, the officer could be heard on his body camera expressing his true feelings about the encounter, describing Lewis as “nuts.”
This incident highlights the complexities surrounding marijuana laws, even in areas where possession of small amounts has been decriminalized. While Lewis was ultimately issued a citation for possession of marijuana, the incident could have had more serious consequences had he not been in a jurisdiction with a more lenient approach to marijuana possession. The situation underscores the ongoing debate and evolving legal landscape surrounding marijuana use.
