Dr. Bruce Levy, state medical examiner since 1998, has been fired after he was arrested on marijuana charges in Mississippi.
He was arrested after receiving a package of marijuana at a hotel at Ridgeland, Miss.
A drug dog sniffed out the odor of marijuana in the package, authorities said.
State Health Commissioner Susan Cooper said, "At approximately 10:30 a.m. today, I was notified by officials in Mississippi of the arrest of Dr. Bruce Levy on felony drug charges. Dr. Levy is not an employee of the state. He serves as state medical examiner under a contract with the state Department of Health.
"The Department of Health is taking immediate action to terminate its contract with Dr. Levy for these services. In the interim, as Health Commissioner, I will name an acting state medical examiner to carry out the duties of the position.
"It is of great importance to me that the continuity of services provided by the state medical examiners office be maintained. With that in mind, I will move as quickly as possible to ensure this is the case."