Coach Jones taking wait-and-see approach on Carter’s pot charges
Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach and general manager Chris Jones remains “disappointed” in Duron Carter.
Carter faces charges for marijuana possession in Winnipeg and Saskatoon.
“I was really disappointed because I had just come off the heels of going down to Florida and spending good quality time with him and his mom,’’ Jones said Wednesday from his home in South Pittsburg, Tenn.
“It’s like when a family member or a close friend gets into a situation like that. I’m really disappointed because I thought we were a bit beyond that thing. It’s something that we’ll wait and see what the legal process goes through and what the authorities say. Then we’ll have more of a comment on exactly what happens with Duron.’’
The 26-year-old receiver/defensive back was charged with possession of a controlled substance after he was caught with more than 30 grams of marijuana at the Winnipeg International Airport on Nov. 25. On Feb. 1, Carter was charged with possession of marijuana at the Saskatoon International Airport.
Carter’s first possession charge is to be heard on Thursday in Winnipeg Provincial Court. His Saskatoon court appearance is set for March 27.
Jones said that he wasn’t aware of the Winnipeg charge while meeting with Carter in January.
“At that time, he just had the one (charge) and that was when he went home and he didn’t fill me in on it,’’ Jones said. “I would rather meet with him face to face where I can sit down with him in the same room and get his take on it. We’ve had one conversation about it and that’s when he was in Saskatoon.
“He and I are going to sit down in the next little bit and discuss what’s going on and hopefully put these things behind him and grow up a little bit.’’
Jones added that the Riders have looked into Carter’s legal situation.
“It appears it will just be fine, but we’ll have to wait and see,’’ Jones said.
Under the current Criminal Code, possession of 30 grams of marijuana for a first offence could lead to a $1,000 fine and a year in jail. The second offence could be a $2,000 fine and two years in jail.
Even when marijuana is legalized in the summer, possession of more than 30 grams would be illegal.
Carter is heading into his second season with the Riders after signing a contract extension in January. In 2017, when Carter was named the Riders’ most outstanding player, he led them in receiving yards (1,043) and was tied with Naaman Roosevelt for the team’s lead in touchdown catches (eight).