Gigi Hadid And Friend Arrested For Marijuana Possession During Trip To Cayman Islands
Hadid and her friend pled guilty, were released on bail, and were fined $1,000 each.
In an unexpected twist of events, renowned supermodel Gigi Hadid and her friend Leah Nicole McCarthy found themselves in the middle of a legal debacle while vacationing in the Cayman Islands. The duo was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of importing marijuana, as per a report published by the local outlet Cayman Marl Road.
Gigi Hadid and Friend Arrested for Marijuana Possession During Trip to Cayman Islands
The report states that on July 10, customs officials discovered "ganja and utensils used for the consumption of ganja" in Hadid and McCarthy's luggage. The friends, both in their late twenties, were taken into custody and were subsequently taken to the Prisoner Detention Center. They were later released on bail. Following their arrest, Hadid and McCarthy were formally charged in the Summary Court on July 12. Both pleaded guilty to the charges of Importation of Ganja and Importation of Utensils used for the consumption of ganja. They were then fined $1,000 each. Notably, no conviction was recorded in relation to the case.
A representative for Gigi Hadid provided some insight into the incident in a statement shared with E! News. According to the representative, the marijuana found in Hadid's possession was purchased legally in New York City under a medical license. They added, "It has also been legal for medical use in Grand Cayman since 2017. Her record remains clear and she enjoyed the rest of her time on the island."
The supermodel and her friend were reported to be staying at Palm Heights, a luxury boutique hotel renowned for its popularity among celebrities. Despite the brief legal hiccup, the friends seemed to have continued their vacation unabated, which was a belated birthday celebration for McCarthy. Proving that the incident did not affect her vacation spirit, Hadid took to Instagram to share an image of her newly inked dragon tattoo, prominently displayed on her upper thigh. The 28-year-old mother to a two-year-old daughter, whom she shares with singer Zayn Malik, posted the photo just two days after her court appearance.
Even after their court ordeal, the vacation crew seemed to enjoy their time in the Cayman Islands, with both Hadid and McCarthy sharing snapshots of their sun-soaked escapades. Despite the earlier setback, the friends appeared to have made the best of their tropical getaway, embracing the island's idyllic landscape and abundant summer sun.
Marijuana laws in the United States are complex because they differ at the federal and state levels. At the federal level, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. This means that it's considered to have a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use in treatment. Possession, sale, or use of marijuana is technically illegal under federal law. Despite the federal law, many states have passed laws that conflict with the federal stance on marijuana. These laws fall into several categories, such as medical marijuana, recreational marijuana, etc. It's important to note that even in states where marijuana use is legalized or decriminalized, there are typically strict regulations regarding its sale, distribution, and use, such as where you can consume it and how much you can possess. Also, because state and federal laws conflict, there's a gray area, and users could technically still face federal charges, especially on federal land or in federal buildings. Furthermore, laws vary widely from state to state, and are subject to change, so it's important to check the specific laws in your area.
And if you plan to travel internationally, it's particularly important to know what the marijuana laws are in the country you're visiting. The Cayman Islands are a British Overseas Territory, which means they are under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom but are not part of the UK itself. Marijuana is generally illegal in the Cayman Islands under the Misuse of Drugs Law. Possession, use, and trafficking of marijuana are all criminal offenses that can result in significant fines and imprisonment. However, in 2016, the Cayman Islands did pass a law allowing for the medical use of cannabis oil under very strict conditions. To use cannabis oil legally, a person must have a prescription from a physician and the oil must be obtained from a source that the government of the Cayman Islands deems reliable.
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