Jamey Johnson’s “Drug Possession” Arrest Revealed as Felony-Level Marijuana

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When the news broke on Monday that Jamey Johnson had been arrested for “drug possession” in Williamson County, Tennessee, we all pretty much knew what was afoot. But authorities were short on details, leaving the public up to wild speculation about what kind of “drugs” Jamey Johnson happened to be in possession of. Further revelations on Tuesday (11-19) confirm that it was indeed marijuana that the country singer had been arrested for.

According to the arrest documents, Jamey Johnson was pulled over on Interstate 65 North in Williamson County, Tennessee shortly before 10 p.m. on Sunday for doing 87 mph in a 70 mph zone. When at the window, the officer believed he smelled marijuana. Johnson admitted he had “been around marijuana.” A search of the vehicle found multiple bags of marijuana as well as more than “10 pre-rolled joints” in the vehicle.

The amount of marijuana Johnson had in his possession means the charges rose to a Class E felony, or “with intent to manufacture, deliver or sell the controlled substance.” This is the least serious felony class, and usually based on weight as opposed to true intent, but can still come with up to 1 to 6 years in prison, even if it’s unlikely Johnson will serve this kind of time. The 49-year-old retired Marine was arrested, and eventually released on $5,000 bail.

The idea that we’re still arresting individuals for possession of something that is now completely legal in 24 states, and decriminalized for medical use in 38, with many more locations dealing with it as a citation, seems pretty ridiculous. But if Jamey Johnson was operating a motor vehicle while also high and going 17 miles above the speed limit, that’s not cool either. The law is still the law, and if you’re transporting marijuana, it’s probably not smart to speed.

For some Jamey Johnson fans, any disappointment might be from how they feel misled after listening to the song “Sober” off his new album Midnight Gasoline, and Johnson’s pronouncements recently of being 13 years sober. For some, “sober” means recusing one’s self from any type of mind altering substances. Some use the phrase “clean and sober” when also considering marijuana and other drugs. Others consider the term “California sober” when you don’t drink alcohol, but imbibe in marijuana.

“I am 13 years sober now,” Johnson said upon the release of the song. “I haven’t had a drop of alcohol since 2011, and I know that could end this afternoon. It is a day-to-day, hour-to-hour decision. Most of the places I play are bars, or I am still hanging out in bars. That’s where most of my friends are. Now I can hang out in them and not be drinking like I used to. That is what ‘Sober’ is about.”

However, in recent interviews, Johnson also clarified that he does still smoke marijuana upon occasion, telling Billboard, “I’m sober for the most part, but every now and then, I may still break out a joint if I’m writing or something like that.”

Jamey Johnson’s arrest won’t hurt his standing on country music. If anything, it will improve his image in a genre where incarceration is often a central theme. One of Johnson’s signature songs is “High Cost of Living.” He also appeared on Willie Nelson’s song, “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die.”

Country fans can’t be surprised that Johnson is a cannabis user. But perhaps they can be a little disappointed he wasn’t more up front about his marijuana use amid his sobriety pronouncements, and that he didn’t have the smarts to not speed with pot in the car. But ultimately, it will be a footnote on the Wikipedia page, and life will move on.

Johnson is scheduled to appear in court on February 6, 2025.

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Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that in an interview with Billboard, Jamey Johnson revealed previously that he smokes marijuana upon occasion.


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