RODNEY KING'S BUDS He Was a Professional Weed Smoker

Rodney King was an expert pot smoker ... and there's no way marijuana could have caused him to go off the hinges and act like a maniac on the night he died ... so say King's smoking buddies, who run his local weed dispensary. 

RODNEY KING Wanted to Dump Fiancée Before Death

Rodney King's closest friend tells TMZ ... he's asked cops to take a closer look at King's fiancée -- because their relationship was volatile to the point King wanted to break up with her.

RODNEY KING Drinking, Smoking Weed Before Drowning

Rodney King's fiancée is telling friends Rodney had been drinking all day Saturday ... and had smoked weed in the hours leading up to his death ... sources close to King tell TMZ.