We saw this one coming from a mile away -- 2 Chainz has been found not guilty of weed possession ... stemming from a bust where the arresting cops took pics with the rapper.

The ruling came down in Maryland yesterday -- after a judge determined there was not enough evidence to prove the weed found in the rapper's tour van belonged to 2 Chainz.

As we previously reported, the "I'm Different" rapper was popped in February when cops pulled over a van he was riding in with six others -- though the rapper was the only one cited.

The Maryland State Police officers involved in the stop took pictures with the hip hop star ... though it was never clear who initiated the impromptu shoot, Chainz complained later on Twitter about "dam police f*ckn wit a n**ga. .... Locked me up and then Wanted pictures smh (shakin' my head)."

Seriously ... that's a lotta weed.

If 2 Chainz had you scratching your head with ... "Put a fat rabbit on a Craftmatic" ... you probably need a translator -- which is why TMZ is here. You're welcome, white people.

Check out TMZ on TV -- click here to see your local listings!

Though it may not have been brass knuckles, 2 Chainz was once again caught wearing a deadly fashion accessory ... socks with sandals.

While leaving a NYC hotel on Wednesday, the 35-year-old "I'm Different" rapper -- real name Tauheed Epps -- kept it old school by rockin' geriatric grand daddy foot gear in public.

This time Chainz is wanted by the fashion police.

2 Chainz's post-arrest photo with cops is shrouded in controversy -- so it's time for TMZ to get to the bottom of it ... and learn some basic geography at the same time.

Check out TMZ on TV -- click here to see your local listings!

7:00 AM PT -- OK, This is getting RIDICULOUS ...

We asked the Maryland State Police WHO ASKED to take the photo ... and a rep for the cops told us, "We cannot confirm who initiated that at this time."

Ummm ... how hard would it be to ask the cops???

Interesting Point -- 2 Chainz posted the pic on HIS Twitter page ... meaning it was most likely taken by someone in 2 Chainz's camp ... which would mean the rapper probably initiated the shoot.

Oooooor ... the cops took the pic and sent it to 2 Chainz.

Something's fishy here ...


2 Chainz was arrested for marijuana possession in Maryland last night ... and the rapper is PISSED -- claiming cops were just "f*ckin" with him ... and then asked him for pictures. 

The guy behind the hits "Spend It" and "I'm Different" was busted around 10 PM in Easton last night after Maryland State Police pulled over a white van he was traveling in ... along with 6 other people.

But cops say 2 Chainz was in possession of weed -- so he was arrested. He was the only person in the van taken into custody.

2 Chainz was taken to a nearby station where he was booked, released and even took a picture with police ... but the rapper says he only took the shot because THE COPS asked him for it.

After the incident, 2 Chainz went on a Twitter rampage -- saying, "dam police f*ckn wit a n**ga."

He continued, "Locked me up and then Wanted pictures smh (shakin' my head)."

2 Chainz also claimed that he didn't exactly have a bag of weed on him at the time ... only a grinder (a device used to crush up weed so you can smoke it.)

We reached out to cops -- so far, no word back.

2 Chainz is not that different ... he's just another TERRIBLE rapper ... this according to former "MADtv" star Aries Spears.

Spears was walkin' around NYC yesterday when we asked about the current state of hip hop -- and for some reason, AS unloaded on 2 Chainz.

"I think 2 Chainz SUCKS," Spears said ... adding, "Have you heard the lyrics? All I want for my birthday is a big booty ho? Get some better rhymes 2 Chainz."

Spears continued ... "[2 Chainz] said when he shows up to the scene, he shows up with his roof missing, he's different . N**ga's driving a convertible ... if you wanna be different, show up in a horse and buggy."

FYI -- not everyone feels that way ... 2 Chainz has been nominated for multiple Grammys this year ... including Best Rap Album.

Rapper 2 Chainz confused the hell out of everyone -- by wearing a cunning disguise of THREE chains around his neck. It's like we don't even know him anymore.

Check out TMZ on TV -- click here to see your local listings!

Proving he wont be bound by his name, "Spend It" rapper 2 Chainz sported an ADDITIONAL gold necklace at his album release party in Atlanta last night.

Rebel.

Flashing his brass knuckle-free hands, rapper 2 Chainz was spotted at the airport in D.C. on Friday ... without incident.

As TMZ first reported, 2 Chainz was arrested for misdemeanor criminal possession at LaGuardia Airport in NYC on Tuesday after security discovered a four finger metallic ring in his carry-on bag ... and deemed it a weapon.

The "Spend It" singer is known for wearing the controversial bling -- which says "DOPE" across the front -- but he's apparently figured out it's best not to flaunt it in front of TSA.

Rapper 2 Chainz's arrest ignited a war at TMZ-- over whether his brass knuckle "jewelry" should be considered a weapon. Let's hope no one brought props to settle this debate.

Check out TMZ on TV -- click here to see your local listings!