ATHENS -- Georgia forward Brandon Morris has been kicked off the basketball team Monday following his arrest on a marijuana charge.<br />
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The Athens-Clarke County Jail said Morris was arrested early Sunday and later posted bond. He was charged with felony possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.<br />
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Morris was suspended for three games last season for a violation of team rules. Coach Mark Fox said on the team's website that Morris has a "very clear understanding of our expectation. Unfortunately, I've had to dismiss him from our team."<br />
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Morris, a junior with 45 career starts, was set to return as one of four starters for a team that won 20 games last season before losing to Louisiana Tech in the second round of the NIT. He averaged 8.6 points and 3.4 rebounds.<br />
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A copy of the Athens-Clarke County police report emailed to The Associated Press stated that Morris was the owner of a black 2014 Dodge Challenger parked downtown and searched at 2 a.m. by officer N. McFaddin. Morris was booked in the jail over an hour later.<br />
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In his report, McFaddin wrote that Morris "was turned over for transport to the jail very quickly because a large crowd had gathered" that was "boisterous and aggressively questioning the reason for the contact with Morris."<br />
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The report states that Morris was charged with possession of 18 grams of "high grade marijuana" and possession of a digital scale.<br />
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Georgia law states that possession of under an ounce of marijuana - or 28 grams - is a misdemeanor and punishable by up to 12 months and a $1,000 fine.<br />
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Morris' alleged possession of a scale caused the charge to be upgraded to a felony for intent to distribute.<br />
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Fox wrote on the Bulldogs' website that "we've offered Brandon as much help as we can as he leaves" and "hope that he can continue his career somewhere else."
