HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The smell of marijuana can be a factor police use to justify a search without a warrant but can’t be the sole basis for it, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.
The court said a state police search of a vehicle in Allentown three years ago was conducted only because the troopers smelled marijuana.
“The odor of marijuana alone does not amount to probable cause to conduct a warrantless search of the vehicle but, rather, may be considered as a factor in examining the totality of the circumstances,” wrote Chief Justice Max Baer for the majority. Read Article
