Report: Pot Charge Probably Won't Follow Whitney Houston To Mainland

Hawaiian prosecutors aren't expected to actively pursue Whitney Houston in the mainland U.S. on allegations that she tried to carry a small amount of marijuana onto a flight from Hawaii's Keahole-Kona International Airport to San Francisco earlier this month. But should charges be filed against her, the pop singer could be served with a summons or arrested if she returns to the islands.

According to the Hawaii Tribune-Herald of Hilo, airport security officials allegedly seized a bag containing a half-ounce of marijuana during a search of her baggage on Jan. 11. The newspaper reported that airport security, who only have authority to arrest people for crimes related to airport security, told her to wait for police to arrive. Houston, reportedly traveling with her husband, Bobby Brown, instead boarded her flight, which was in the air about 30 minutes before police arrived.

Answering a question about the length of time it took police to respond--the nearest police station is only five miles from the airport--a police spokesperson reportedly said that the amount of marijuana found was very small, and that officers were probably busy answering higher-priority calls. He added that Houston did not receive any special treatment.

''It's not a major crime,'' the spokesperson reportedly told the AP. ''I don't think you realize how much dope does go through this island. We're one of the major growing areas in the country.''

Prosecutors are waiting until an police investigation is complete before they decide whether or not charges will be filed against Houston, according to the Associated Press. A prosecutor told the AP that the most likely charge will be promoting a detrimental drug, a misdemeanor that is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 30 days in jail.

Houston's camp hasn't commented on the incident.

Houston is about to embark on a European tour, and reportedly headed to her East Coast home this weekend to prepare for a flight to France early this week. Though she received three nominations for the American Music Awards, she didn't appear at the ceremonies last night (1/17). AMA officials reportedly knew ahead of time that Houston wouldn't attend due to her European touring commitments.