Police claim the ability to smell marijuana in vehicles to search for drugs under the "plain smell doctrine". However, studies show the human sense of smell may not be able to detect marijuana odors from sealed compartments like cars. While the law allows these searches, critics argue the science does not fully support the ability of police to smell marijuana in this context. The article examines the debate around whether police can reliably detect marijuana odors coming from inside vehicles to justify searches under the plain smell doctrine.

1. 8/13/2020 Can Police Really Smell Weed In Your Car?
https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/can-police-really-smell-weed-in-your-car 2/13
POLICE CAN SMELL WEED IN YOUR CAR?
li ll ll d

2. 8/13/2020 Can Police Really Smell Weed In Your Car?
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Can Police Really Smell Weed In Your Car?
Can Police really say they can smell marijuana in your car when they are standing on the road?
Posted by:
Joseph Billions , today at 12:00am
Can police really smell cannabis in your car?
The world seems to be slowly and gradually accepting the bene ts that are embedded in cannabis as a potent natural
product useful for medical and recreational purposes, however, we are still a long way from where we ought to be in
terms of acceptance across di erent parts of the world. The interpretation of this statement is that there are still many
regions of the world where stereotypic views are being expressed towards cannabis and cannabis users. This
stereotypic view has resulted in a situation where many laws concerning cannabis in di erent states are not entirely fair
on cannabis users especially those who use cannabis for medicinal purposes.

3. 8/13/2020 Can Police Really Smell Weed In Your Car?
https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/can-police-really-smell-weed-in-your-car 4/13
The e ects of these stereotypic views have resulted in a situation whereby many cannabis users especially those using
it for medical purposes nd it hard to come forward in their environment as cannabis users. The continuous restrictions
are due to di erent laws across di erent regions that have somewhat denoted cannabis as an illicit drug due to its
psychoactive nature. This stereotype has also been helped by the conventional method usage of cannabis which is
majorly by smoking and this has preempted many cannabis users to nd newer ways to use cannabis, however, the
stereotypic views still very much remain.
Much that needs to be done in order to facilitate a change in this trend that is ongoing in di erent regions of the world
is education. By providing many with critical information as to the truths that are embedded in the cannabis plant and
what they really entail, a lot of people with negative views of cannabis will have a rethink.
Cannabis does more than just get you high, it contains lots of cannabinoids, terpenes, and avonoids that play a huge
part in the medical and recreational e ects of the plant.
Cannabis and the law
When it comes to cannabis and the law, it is important to state rst that some regions and places have good cannabis
laws that favor those who use cannabis either as a medicinal or recreational product and this has allowed many
cannabis users comfort to freely express and show their use of cannabis. However, many regions still have very strong
laws that resist the use and acceptance of cannabis and it is important that we understand how to work and operate
within such environments so as to not be on the wrong end of the law.
As expected, the arm of the law that many usually have problems with regarding cannabis are the police and with the
“in plain smell” law, many are at the mercy of police when it comes to cannabis. The cannabis transport laws are still
very di erent in many regions of the world especially in the United States where di erent states have a di erent
representation of laws concerning cannabis transport, however, the “in plain smell” law still stands in many places. In
simple terms, this law means that the police is allowed to search a property by detection of an odor of marijuana. It's a
sad reality that we still have laws like this in 2020.
Can the police really smell cannabis in your car?

4. 8/13/2020 Can Police Really Smell Weed In Your Car?
https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/can-police-really-smell-weed-in-your-car 5/13
Many have argued that this law has allowed many policemen to search people in the streets or in their cars on the
simple notion that they can perceive the smell of marijuana. This has driven majority to question whether it is possible
for policemen to truly perceive the odor of cannabis especially when its in a sealed compartment.
Terpenes embedded in cannabis account for the scent and aroma of cannabis and they serve as the basis for the
inquiry into the ability of policemen to truly smell cannabis in the car. After conscious studies were carried by experts,
there is a strain on the possibility of the olfactory lobe to truly perceive the scent of cannabis in a car especially when it
is kept in closed compartments. This then basically makes one question the basis on which this law that is so crucial is
established on, seeing as the studies conducted don't fully validate it.
The law is the law and one cannot deny that, so it isn't just important to understand the law, one should be able to work
around the law so as not to get in danger of it. It is therefore important that proper precautions are taken to ensure that
cannabis users are right with the laws of their states and regions. This is the present reality of the cannabis world and it
is important that cannabis users properly understand them so as to not be in danger with the law even as we look
onward to better and more welcoming laws.
CANNABIS AND DRIVING A CAR, READ MORE...
(https://cannabis.net/blog/news/driving-stoned-what-the-police-can-
and-cant-do-to-you)
DRIVING STONED, WHAT THE POLICE CAN AND CAN'T DO? (https://cannabis.net/blog/news/driving-stoned-what-the-
police-can-and-cant-do-to-you)

5. 8/13/2020 Can Police Really Smell Weed In Your Car?
https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/can-police-really-smell-weed-in-your-car 6/13
OR..
(https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/best-places-to-hide-weed-in-your-
car)
WHERE CAN YOU HIDE WEED IN YOUR CAR? CLICK HERE. (https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/best-places-to-hide-
weed-in-your-car)
What did you think?
Keep reading... click here
(https://cannabis.net/blog)
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NEWS
Singapore Makes it Clear - Raw Cannabis Flower is Harmful and Illegal
Aside from the mentioned study, the authorities do not acknowledge the many other studies proving the safety and e cacy of pot when used as medicine. They
also cite the fact that other countries who took a more relaxed stand on cannabis suffered serious societal harms. “Therefore, we have strict laws against the
tra cking, possession, consumption, and import or export of illicit drugs including cannabis and cannabis products.”