New York City officers can no longer conduct vehicle searches based on the smell of marijuana.
The state’s new laws pertaining to cannabis sales, possession, and use among adults 21 and older.
“Effective immediately, the smell of marijuana alone no longer establishes probable cause of a crime to search a vehicle,” reports the state. “This change applies to both burnt and unburnt marijuana.”
Officers may search vehicles if the driver appears to be under the influence of marijuana and if “there is probably cause to believe that the vehicle contains evidence of the impairing” substance. T
These sweeping changes were announced after Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill legalizing recreational marijuana in New York.
Photos by Getty Images