Singer Whitney Houston has had drugs charges against her dropped.

Houston landed in trouble after her handbag was searched and found to contain a quantity of marijuana at a Hawaiian airport in January last year.

Houston left the country without the bag but was later charged with possession.

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin reports the charge has now been dismissed by District Judge Joseph Florendo following the submission of a substance abuse assessment.

The assessment reported back that it was not necessary for Houston to carry out a drug abuse treatment programme.

She had originally faced jail in Hawaii after she did not meet all the conditions agreed between the courts and her lawyers.

She was sentenced in November and agreed to pay fines and donate money to a drug abuse charity.

The fines were paid but the drug assessment was delayed.

Deputy prosecutor Melvin Fujino then filed a motion to overturn the deferred no contest plea and have Houston resentenced.