A Stratford resident, the son of Norwalk’s police chief, faces marijuana-related charges in Darien after an officer reported seeing him try to smoke a glass pipe while driving through town on Tuesday, July 29.
Darien police cited Evan Thomas Kulhawik, of Stratford, for possession of under a half-ounce of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Kulhawik, 24, is the son of Norwalk Police Chief Thomas Kulhawik. Marijuana possession of this type constitutes an infraction charge, with penalties similar to a parking ticket.
Police said that Kulhawik was driving a black BMW in Darien around 6:30 p.m. when the officer watched Kulhawik attempt to light a glass pipe in his mouth as he drove past the officer, according to police. Kulhawik noticed the officer was watching him, and quickly dropped the pipe, police said.
The officer pulled him over and watched Kulhawik attempt to conceal items in various locations in the car, police said. After first denying he had any marijuana in the car, police told him there was a drug dog that would sniff the car for pot, at which point Kulhawik admitted to having marijuana, police said.
Police found 3.6 grams of marijuana and a glass pipe with pot residue, police said. Kulhawik was given a verbal warning for not wearing a seat belt. Police determined he was not under the influence of marijuana.
Norwalk Police Chief Thomas Kulhawik issued a statement to The Darien Times about his son being cited for marijuana possession. “I was disappointed to learn of this,” Kulhawik stated. “I have spoken to him and he has taken responsibility for it and has paid the ticket. I hope he uses this as a learning experience.”
In 2012, Connecticut became one of many states to allow marijuana use for medicinal purposes, although officials are still wrestling with the details of implementing the law. The state would only allow medical use for certain ailments, and is considered to be stricter than laws passed in other states.