Rick Ross: It Wasn't Weed ... Sometimes a Cigar is Only a Cigar

Rick Ross is no dummy ... he's not gonna smoke a blunt in front of cameras while on house arrest -- so his story goes.

TMZ posted video a few days ago of Rick smoking what sure looked like a joint at his July 4th pool party. Since he's out on bail while his kidnapping case is pending, he's not allowed to break any law, and smoking weed is a big no-no in ATL.

Sources close to Rick tell us ... it was a cigar, stupid. They say Rosay had a guy at the ready rolling the stogies, which were Bello brand.

And that's how he rolls.