Jon Jones not facing drug possession charges after hit-and-run accident ... yet

In the midst of all the negative backlash Jon Jones has garnered after his latest public relations nightmare, the former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight champion has a little positive news heading his way, as "Bones" has not yet been charged with possession of drugs.

Emphasis on "not yet."

That's in spite of the fact that his wrecked rental car (see a pic here) involved in the hit-and-run accident over the weekend in Albuquerque, New Mexico, contained a marijuana-filled pipe.

According to a statement obtained by MMA Fighting through Albuquerque Police Department spokesmen Tanner Tixier, felonies and misdemeanors are not put on the same charging document in the state of New Mexico.

Here's the explanation:

Tixier told MMAFighting.com on Tuesday that felonies and misdemeanors are not put on the same charging document in New Mexico. Jones is currently being charged with a felony: leaving the scene of an accident involving death or personal injury. He was arrested Monday night and will be arraigned Tuesday afternoon with regards to that charge. Any marijuana possession charge would be a misdemeanor, Tixier said. The thinking behind the state precedent, Tixier said, is that it doesn't give the defendant the ability to just take a plea deal for the misdemeanor. Jones is facing the felony charge right now and the marijuana possession charge could be revisited later, either by law enforcement, the prosecution or if the felony case goes to a grand jury.

According to Tixier, since Jones was not present in the vehicle (thanks to this vanishing act) at the time the marijuana was discovered, the misdemeanor case would be "hard to prove." Furthermore, Tixier confirmed that cocaine was not found in the vehicle despite rumors running rampant online.

But, if it is proven that the marijuana did in fact belong to Jones, Tixier told MMAmania's Michael Stets that the misdemeanor could carry with it a sentence of six months in jail.

"If we do end up charging it, It would only be simple misdemeanor possession. That crime is punishable up to 180 days in jail."

Jones turned himself in on Monday (April 27, 2015), but was released on a $2,500 bond shortly thereafter. The accident left a pregnant woman with a broken arm and Jones' rental car completely ruined (see it here).

Perhaps more important -- as far as Jones is concerned -- the fighting future of one of the best to ever compete in MMA now looks very bleak after Dana White and Co. made the decision to strip "Bones" of his light heavyweight title and suspend him indefinitely.

As a result, Daniel Cormier will step in to face Anthony Johnson on May 23, 2015 for the vacant 205-pound title.

Following suit, Reebok announced shortly thereafter that they too, had terminated Jon's contract with them effective immediately.

For a complete timeline of events on this still-developing Jon Jones story check out our comprehensive news stream right here.