COURT LETS POT KID OUT OF THE JOINT

A state appeals court has taken a stand against reefer madness -
throwing out a 12-month sentence for a 13-year-old kid who was
busted for smoking pot.

The teen was spotted by a cop "in a public place" with his
16-year-old sister, who was "smoking a marijuana cigar" that she
passed to him, the Appellate Division decision said.

The cop saw him "appear to inhale and then exhale smoke," and busted
both him and his sister, the ruling says.

Bronx Family Court Judge Alma Cordova sent the boy, who'd never been
in trouble before, to a "limited secure placement" for 12 months.

The appeals court said it was "fairly obvious" that the original
judge was trying to get the boy out of a turbulent home situation,
but 12 months on a pot charge was not "appropriate."

They ordered the boy, who's already been in a secure facility for
eight months, to be let out and for his record to be cleared if he
stays out of trouble.