David Gierlach, attorney for Mililani Middle School teacher Benjamin Ayson, who is accused of smoking marijuana before school Monday, has denied that his client was using an illegal drug.

"They were sharing a Benson & Hedges cigarette," said Gierlach. "That's the only thing that was being smoked that morning."

Ayson and a fellow teacher, Lisa Luhrsen, were arrested and charged with a petty misdemeanor after a parent alleged to school officials that the two were smoking marijuana in Ayson's truck off the school campus.

"Parents who saw that were mistaken," said Gierlach.

Both teachers posted $50 bail and have a court appearance set for Dec. 26.

They are on paid leave from their teaching positions.

She is a math teacher and he is a language arts teacher. Both have been at the school for several years.

Attempts to reach Luhrsen have been unsuccessful.

Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com.