Shane Ray Receives Citation for Marijuana Possession

Former Missouri Tigers defensive end and 2015 NFL draft prospect Shane Ray received a citation on Monday for allegedly possessing less than 35 grams of marijuana.

Shane Ray has received a citation for marijuana possession. 

Ray, a former Missouri Tigers defensive end and 2015 NFL draft prospect, was the subject of an incident in Cooper County, Missouri, on the morning of April 27, per The Kansas City Star’s Tod Palmer. Authorities pulled him over and discovered less than 35 grams of marijuana inside his glove compartment. 

Palmer obtained an online arrest report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol which says Ray was also cited “for failing to drive in the right lane of the highway with two or more lanes.”

THIS JUST IN: Projected Top 10 pick in NFL Draft, DE Shane Ray (Missouri) was cited for possession of marijuana & traffic violation.— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 28, 2015

The report also states Ray went beyond the speed limit as recorded by a state trooper as he was driving west on Interstate 70 at 5:46 a.m. C.T., per The Kansas City Star.

Corporal Scott White, public information officer for Missouri Highway Patrol Troop F, told Palmer exactly what transpired at that time:

“Upon contract with Mr. Ray, our trooper smelled the odor of marijuana and a search was conducted and he was found in possession of marijuana. 

“He was given a warning for the speed violation, a citation for failure to drive in the right lane and a citation for the marijuana. He was assigned a Cooper County court date on June 30.”

Palmer stresses possessing less than 35 grams of marijuana is classifed as a Class A misdemeanor in the state of Missouri. This would entail up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. 

“Shane Ray’s pot citation changes his stock dramatically. He could drop to the 3rd or 4th round.” – @MarkdominikESPN pic.twitter.com/jwB2OypNYV— Mike & Mike (@MikeAndMike) April 28, 2015

However, first-time offenders normally aren’t given those sanctions, per The Kansas City Star.

Ray would likely receive a fine and probation, per Palmer. 

White wasn’t able to obtain information regarding the speed Ray was going on the freeway and the exact amount of marijuana he had. Police found no drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle, per Palmer. 

Ray did not serve time in jail afterward and was released on signature summons after police gave him his citation. 

White added Ray “was released to go on his way once the marijuana seized and he was issued his citation…He was not impaired. That would be our first concern under that, but he was not impaired.

NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling reported on Tuesday that Ray is due in court on June 30. 

“He’ll be a very tempting option in the 20’s to a good football team” – @MoveTheSticks
–> http://t.co/usa3NcPE4s pic.twitter.com/TrkRJL1Yyz— CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFL_CFB) April 28, 2015

NFL Media’s Albert Breer (via Wesseling) reported on the same day of the Ray incident that he flunked a drug test during his early days at Missouri, citing information from five NFL teams. 

The said NFL teams were willing to overlook Ray’s past history but Monday’s incident could possibly change all that, per Wesseling. 

Ray issued a statement on Monday evening apologizing for what happened, per The Kansas City Star:

“I’d like to apologize o my mother, fans and prospective NFL teams for my poor judgment Monday morning. I am embarrassed and realize there are consequences for my actions.

“I was not under the influence nor impaired, therefore I was not detained. Fortunately, Monday’s incident only resulted in a citation. I will make better choices in the future.

“It is imperative that I continue to strive to better myself. My future NFL career has been something I have always dreamed about and is very important to me. I commit that my actions will represent that.

My discussion on Shane Ray’s marijuana citation & the latest on La’el Collins w/ @adbrandt @MarkdominikESPN http://t.co/RJdnHHid6L— Bob Ley (@BobLeyESPN) April 28, 2015

“There are no excuses here and I will take the necessary steps to ensure this will not happen again. I will not jeopardize my ability to have a positive imact on and off the field moving forward.”

League sources told ESPN’s Mark Dominik on Tuesday Ray will now automatically be enrolled in Phase 1 of the NFL’s substance abuse program. 

This means the NFL will not discipline Ray but he will be subject to random drug testing, per ESPN. Phase 1 entails influencing Ray’s behavior toward banned substances. The league placed him on Stage 1 not for using marijuana but for possessing it.

Ray told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen last week he visited a doctor who told him he does not need toe surgery because it could still be rehabbed at the time. 

However, Mortensen says some teams believe Ray /4/eventually require surgery, per ESPN.

Ray amassed 65 tackles in his last year for the Tigers last season. Those included 22.5 for a loss which puts him fourth in the football program’s history, per Palmer. 

Ray is a projected Top-10 pick in the upcoming NFL draft which begins on Thursday, per The Kansas City Star. 

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