A 20-year-old man was arrested Monday after police said he smoked marijuana in a Wilson County courtroom in front of a judge.

Spencer Alan Boston was called to the podium in front of Judge Haywood Barry on a simple drug possession charge, according to Wilson County Sheriff Robert Bryan.

Boston was apparently expressing a viewpoint that marijuana should be legalized at the podium. He then is accused of reaching into a pocket and pulling out a marijuana cigarette, lighting up and smoking, police said.

Then, Boston turned around to make a comment to those sitting in the courtroom and officers immediately took him into custody, Bryan said.

Many in the courtroom burst out laughing, Wilson County Sheriff's Office Lt. Scott Moore said.

Boston is charged with disorderly conduct and simple possession, according to police. His bond is $3,000, according to jail records.

The marijuana that Boston smoked did have a strong odor, Bryan said.

Subscribe: Keep up with what’s new and support local journalism with a digital subscription that starts at 99 cents for the first three months.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.