Charley Gallay/Getty Images for ATISometimes a pipe really is just a pipe. And in Montel Williams' case, that's a good thing.
A Milwaukee judge has dismissed a drug paraphernalia possession charge against the former talk-show host at the prosecutor's request after learning the pipe in question that was seized from him at Milwaukee's Airport tested negative for marijuana.
Williams, of course, is a card-carrying medical marijuana advocate, and has said the green stuff helps treat the chronic pain from his multiple sclerosis.
But that didn't stop TSA agents from confiscating his pipe from his carry-on at a security checkpoint last January, temporarily detaining him and then issuing him a $484 citation.
Williams, who was returning from the University of Wisconsin–Madison where he's been undergoing experimental treatments for his MS, kept his cool throughout, was described as being cooperative and paid the fine.
Thankfully before the case was set to go to trial in May, the D.A.'s Office decided to drop the matter for lack of evidence, since a field test failed to turn up any trace of ganja whatsoever.
"Our office dismissed it," a prosecutor's spokesman tells E! News.
The sometime actor was unavailable for comment. But Williams told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel after the hearing Tuesday that he was glad the matter was resolved and hopes a good lesson might come out of his arrest.
"This isn't about somebody trying to do something illicit. I'm really just trying to take my medication," Montel said. "Hopefully this issue and incident will spark some conversations that will help more rational minds find a way to solve the problem and take the patients off the battlefield."
Williams added that he didn't realize he had accidentally left the pipe in his bag. He also apologized to airport security and authorities for causing them such a headache.
By the way, the pipe will not be returned, but he is getting his money back.