Hawaii....

[Associated Press Report]

Houston's Marijuana Case Continues

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (AP) - Prosecutors want a judge to set aside a court-approved agreement that allows for the dismissal of a marijuana-possession case against pop star Whitney Houston if she meets certain conditions.

The Hawaii County prosecutor's office says Houston did not submit a substance-abuse assessment in time for a hearing Thursday to determine whether she has complied with the agreement.

Houston, who did not attend the hearing, pleaded no contest through her attorneys Nov. 2 to promoting a detrimental drug in the third degree. The offense is punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

The petty misdemeanor charge stemmed from a Jan. 11, 2000, incident at the Big Island's Keahole-Kona International Airport. A security guard took Houston's handbag, and police reported it contained half an ounce of marijuana.

At the November hearing, Houston was granted a deferred acceptance of no-contest plea, meaning the charge against her would be dismissed in three months if she paid $1,000 to the state and a $25 ``criminal injury'' fee; made a $3,000 donation to the group Big Island Wave Riders Against Drugs; and submitted a substance-abuse assessment.

NEWSFILE: 2 FEBRUARY 2001