Kasch was released shortly after his arrest

The 17-year-old was arrested by plain clothes officers in the East Village area of Manhattan on Tuesday.

Police spokeswoman Jennara Everleth said he was allegedly observed smoking the drug in public.

He was charged with fifth-degree possession before being released, the spokeswoman added.

No date has been given for a possible court date.

Before landing a regular role on ABC's hit show Desperate Housewives, Kasch made one-off appearances in a number popular shows including ER, The Practice, Boomtown and NYPD Blue.

In Desperate Housewives, the character he plays, Zach, has faced the suicide of his mother, been committed by his father and been told he killed his baby sister when he was a child.

Kasch has been lined up to star in the horror film I Remember, which is due to start filming shortly.