Colts QB Anthony Richardson Charged With Misdemeanor Marijuana Possession

Indianapolis Colts backup quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. is facing a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession following a traffic stop in Carmel, Indiana. The incident occurred on October 12 when an officer pulled over the 24-year-old athlete's black Dodge Charger.

According to court documents, the traffic stop was initiated because the vehicle's registration plates were expired and did not match the car. As the officer approached the vehicle, they immediately smelled marijuana.

When questioned by law enforcement, Richardson admitted to smoking marijuana inside the vehicle to avoid doing so in front of his children. He also informed the officer that he had a small amount of the substance inside the car.

Officers placed Richardson in handcuffs while conducting a search of the vehicle. During the search, police discovered a small jar containing marijuana and an open bag of THC-infused gummies located in the glove box. Field tests later confirmed that both items tested positive for THC.

Following the search, the officer cited Richardson for the registration violation and issued a summons for the misdemeanor drug possession charge. The formal charge was filed in Carmel City Court on October 19. Richardson has not been convicted of any offense.

Online court records indicate that Richardson waived his initial hearing. A bench trial has been scheduled for January 4, 2027.

The Indianapolis Colts released a brief statement regarding the legal matter. "We are aware of the situation involving Anthony Richardson and are currently gathering additional information," the team stated, adding that they would have no further comment at this time.

This development adds another layer of off-field attention for the Colts franchise during the 2026 campaign. Earlier in the season, the team dealt with a drunk driving arrest involving teammate Keenan Allen. While the NFL no longer suspends players solely for testing positive for marijuana, players can still face potential discipline under the league's substance abuse policy for certain violations of the law involving controlled substances.