A Rocky Mount minister who told a deputy he buys pot every two months for himself was arrested Friday, the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Detective Tyree Davis said Deputy Dreher Bozard stopped a vehicle on Highway 301 in Enfield for crossing the center line.

After approaching the vehicle Deputy Bozard smelled the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Michael Thompson, 49, told Deputy Bozard he was a preacher at a church in Rocky Mount.

Deputy Bozard spoke with Thompson about the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Thompson then handed Bozard a brown bag containing 23 grams of marijuana and some cigars. Thompson told Bozard he buys marijuana every two months to smoke and not to sell. Thompson was cited for possession of more than a half-ounce of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. His court date is set Oct. 26.