Starting the year on a high note: Justin Bieber snapped smoking marijuana

The pop star was photographed clutching a blunt of marijuana at a big party inside a Newport Beach hotel. Photos (released by TMZ.com) surfaced online a days after a paparazzo was killed while trying to take photos of Bieber's Ferrari.

According to sources, Twist and his brother were rolling all the blunts and smoking everyone up … and there was a LOT of pot smoke. Reports also say a girl also crashed in the hotel room with Justin — NOT Selena.

Bieber released an apology after the incident was made public;

'Everyday growing and learning. trying to be better. u get knocked down, u get up," he wrote last night. "Back on tour tomorrow. ready to see u all smile. time to do what im supposed to be doing. performing. #BELIEVEtour'.

He also tweeted.