SLIPPERY ROCK — A driver failing to dim his vehicle's bright lights led to the discovery of an amount of marijuana that went far beyond personal use, authorities said.

William J. Bowser, 57, of Butler was arraigned Wednesday on felony drug possession, drugged driving and several other charges in connection with last month's traffic stop in Slippery Rock.

State police said Bowser was traveling east on Route 173 around 7:45 p.m. Feb. 21 when his pickup truck approached Trooper Philip Treadway's cruiser, which was headed in the opposite direction.

The defendant had his high beams on, police said, so the officer flashed his high beams to alert the driver. But Bowser did not respond.

Treadway turned around and as he followed the truck, he saw it cross the solid yellow line, according to charging documents.

Police said Bowser also struck the curb while turning onto East Cooper Street. The trooper pulled him over on Normal Avenue.

The inside of the truck smelled of marijuana and Treadway reported seeing a glass jar containing what appeared to be marijuana.

Bowser allegedly admitted having smoked the drug an hour earlier. He later failed field sobriety testing.

In addition to the jar, police said, a search of the truck turned up two FoodSaver-style bags containing suspected marijuana and a cigarette case containing two marijuana cigarettes.

Treadway noted that the weight of the suspected marijuana — more than 30 grams — bumped up the charge from a misdemeanor to a felony.

Toxicology results from a blood test, meanwhile, confirmed Bowser had marijuana in his system.

District Judge Bill O'Donnell arraigned him on charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, driving under the influence of a controlled substance, failing to keep right, making an improper turn, careless driving and not using low beams.

He is free on $25,000 unsecured bail while awaiting a preliminary hearing March 27.