Larkins

I'm in NC and I use weed for medicinal purposes (to treat migraines).

Weed is my miracle drug that completely irradicates the migraine allowing me to return to work or taking care of my kids when i get one rather than laying down in bed for two days straight in intense pain being useless to everyone and getting nothing done.

My wife saw the value in this and whole heartedly supported my use, based on the results and the fact that NC is partially decriminalized (mandatory suspended sentence for a first offense with possession of less than 0.5 ounces). North Carolina - NORML

So the status quo was keep about a quarter ounce at a time just for good measure and to protect ourselves as much as possible from running into a situation where we gave anyone probable cause for a warrant.

Then my wife saw this news story:

Two people arrested on marijuana charges in Roanoke Rapids :: WRAL.com

the description of these people is fairly similar to what could be said after a search of our own house in recent history (i'm currently out of weed) ... but it sort of brought home the idea that even if it is a suspended sentence, we would be handcuffed and brought downtown to be processed.

So now my wife is very worried about a few things. And thus I have some questions for you guys as I've not found much that was helpful after my searches.

1) What would happen to our kids if we were both arrested while we were being taken down town? We have a 2.5 year old and a 0.2 year old.

2) Is it as easy for us to have the 4th amendment put through the shredder for our house as our car (i.e. what does it take to get a warrant for a house)?

I certainly won't have any controlled substances in the house if my wife decides that it's a bad idea ... but that would likely mean we'd pick up and move this year if the pending NC medical marijuana law does not pass (which all signs point to unlikely). i sort of like to avoid that if possible -- how can i help to assure her that we aren't in any imminent danger of being arrested?

Thanks.

Buzzby

If you're not dealing or making street transactions, if you confine your use to your home, if you don't leave weed and paraphernalia lying around your house for visitors to see, and you are careful about the smell of smoke, there's no reason why you'd get busted. How would anyone know? The cops don't have a crystal ball or x-ray vision. In most places, the cops aren't all that interested in busting people for minor possession unless there's something else going on as well.

Houses are much safer than cars for Fourth Amendment issues. In order to get a warrant, someone must see or smell marijuana on the premises.

If you are concerned about smell and would like your investment in marijuana go twice as far, you should look into obtaining a vaporizer. The marijuana vapors smell nothing like marijuana smoke and dissipate quickly. Because you are extracting vapors and not burning up THC along with the plant material, I go twice as far on a given amount of weed using a vape.

If by some chance your home were to be raided, you could rightly claim the weed as your own and your wife wouldn't be arrested.

In NC, possession of less than half an ounce is a misdemeanor carrying a $200 fine and a mandatory 30-day suspended sentence. If you were to get busted, it wouldn't be all that serious a consequence. I'd keep treating my migraines with medical marijuana and just try to avoid exposure as much as possible.

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sterbo

One rather serious consideration is, (age depending of course) your kids.
If they are aware of your extracurricular activities and mention it by accident or on purpose to others you might find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.
Just food for thought...

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Mikeebud

Well said buzzby, remember to clean up after your act, and with no mess, theres no crime.

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Religion is just a theroy, Like the goverment that's your friend.

Code347

Buzzby is right on the mark here... Keep it all on the DL and you will have no problems....and do not think for one second that if your children become exposed to it, that they will not pick up on what is going on.... so that is always a concern. Be chill...and no worries....

twoheadedboy

When is buzzby wrong. But the kids do seem to be a problem, Keep it on the downlow from everyone and maybe see if you can set something up like your extended family taking the kids if you have to work things out in court.

TwoGreenOneRed

Its sad that a person should have to worry about whether or not it is safe to take medicine that helps them live a happier and pain free life.

I sure hope that law gets passed. The only thing you have to worry about is containing the smell if you live very close to others (other apartments nearby etc.)

If you live in a home of your own you are pretty much fine as long as you don't tell anybody. Good luck.

BartSimpson

I hate to go all Dr. Laura on you here, but . . .

When a pre-existing accepted behavior (smoking weed) is suddenly a problem, it might indicate that something else is going on. This is not a relationship forum, so no need to discuss it here, but if wifey is suddenly down on something that is obviously a help to your condition, then there is likely another issue.

Warning shot across the bow, I say . . .

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Larkins

See, this has mostly been my position.

I do vaporize (vapo-bong actually as it's so easy on the lungs), which is very effective for containing the smell. There have been times where I had to treat a migraine that my wife didn't know it until I told her. But she thinks that she can't smell it as well because she is used to the smell ... which is, I'm sure, partly true. I'm sure more people than care to realize it have been busted by a smell they couldn't detect themselves but that was actually there.

My take on this is air fresheners ... is there anything better than some glade plugins or whatever that we can sort of set up and forget about? Are there other options to reduce or eliminate smells?

I appreciate the information about me being able to claim that the weed was only mine and that this would afford my wife some protection from being arrested. That is definitely important to know.

Amen.

You know, I really appreciate this perspective. My wife and I are very self analytical and we talk about our motivations and everything else in lots of depth. While I don't think this is what it is (we have a good relationship and life is on a relative upswing from recent difficulties), I'll certainly bring it up with her.

...

...

So the big question is ... what actually happens druing the arrest (if it's both of us) when kids are present and no family is in town to help out and we have no babysitter? do the cops take the kids with us to the station? do they stay behind at our house and watch them? do they call social services? do they arrest us one at a time?

the logistics of this are very important for us to understand in the worst case scenario what could happen ... and I'm also interested in what would typically happen as well ... my wife doesn't care as much about that. :-)

Sproggs

There's a few things you can do.

- Cigarettes help cover up the smell. Though if you don't already smoke I don't recommend that you start
- Blowing through a "spoof". A spoof is a toilet paper roll stuffed full of dryer sheets. If you blow the smoke out of the tube it masks the MJ smell with clean laundry Mmmm.
- Febreze of course.
- Opening windows is always a good idea.
- Smoking in a room with little upholstery and fabric (i.e carpet).

Those are just a few things I do to keep smoke away.