Snooki -- Website Issues Crippling Apology for Bogus Pot Story

Snooki's legal team just smoosh smoosh'd all over the website that published a false story about her -- that she was arrested in a marijuana mega-bust yesterday -- because the site has issued an embarrassing apology for the mix-up.

TMZ obtained a copy of the mea culpa -- sent to Snooki's reps earlier today -- in which the website admits, "It has come to our attention that the story we released regarding your alleged arrest yesterday was false."

The site continues, "Our actions were wrongful and reckless ... What we did was wrong. We are sorry we did it. We are sorry for the attention it brought you."

And the coup de grace -- "We would also like to inform you that upon your request we will no longer use nor refer to you, your name, your likeness, nor your image."