TROY, Mich. -- A Troy judge has sentenced a teen who was charged with smoking marijuana to walk a busy intersection with an anti-drug message in his hand.

Judge Michael Martone sentenced Paul Marahar, 19, of Sterling Heights to walk Big Beaver Road on Tuesday with a sign that says, "They don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee, and neither do we in Michigan," words borrowed from a 1969 song by Merle Haggard.

Marahar had to carry the sign for five hours on Monday and another five hours on Tuesday.

"It's 10 times better than going to jail," said Marahar.

The sentence came after Marahar was tested positive for marijuana in February during a probation ordered drug testing.

Martone said he hopes sentences like this keep teens from going to jail, but also sends a message their crimes will not be tolerated.

"Don’t smoke marijuana," Marahar told Local 4. "The consequences are horrible."

Martone has used unique sentencing previously in hopes of sending strong messages to young people.

Martone sentenced a Southfield teen that littered to carry a sign up and down Big Beaver Road that said, "Don't be a litterbug." Martone also sentenced a teen several years ago to listen nonstop to music by Frank Sinatra for playing his car radio too loudly.

Tell us what you think about this sentence and others like it? ClickOn SoundOff: Here.