Odor of Marihuana is Still Probable Cause to Search Vehicle

Despite the decriminalization of marihuana, it is still “contraband” and the odor of marihuana provides probable cause for a police officer to search a vehicle so holds the Maryland Court of Appeals in Robinson v. State (http://www.mdcourts.gov/opinions/coa/2017/37a16.pdf).   The Court rejected the argument that the mere smell of marihuana does not provide probable cause to believe that a crime is being committed (i.e. that more than 10 grams of marihuana is being possessed).   Probable cause to believe that a vehicle contains either “contraband” or evidence of crime is a proper and lawful basis upon which to justify a vehicle search under the Carroll doctrine (Carroll v. United States, 267 U.S. 132 (1925)).