Dispersion

All of this is a hypothetical situation that I've been wondering about for a while..

Suppose I live in an apartment complex and smoke some marijuana during the night. (Say 9 p.m. or later.) Now I smoke in the bedroom which is a good ways from the entrance to the apartment unit. I also burn incense and use a muffler to kill the smell. So any odd scent would be confined to the bedroom.

Now, the question lies around what happens if on the off chance someone smells the marijuana and calls the police.

If they call the police and the police come, what can they do? It would be night time, so I'm unsure as to if they'd have the audacity to go knocking on peoples' doors. If they did knock on my door, what's the scenario then? I assume if there are no lights on or movement inside they have no choice but to walk away, but if there were lights on and/or movement? I imagine it would be sort of suspicious to just ignore the door when the police arrive, but does it make any difference?

Likewise I wonder about the same situation in the afternoon when people wouldn't normally be sleeping, and the police would be more likely to knock.

Any info would be appreciated.

Slightly Stoopid

I have always wondered this..

Can you pull someone over for smoking a joint in a car, and you guys know it is a joint. And can you get pulled over if you are seen smoking a pipe? Oh and you can't smell anything in both scenarios..

Or would this just make you guys tail us?

btw, this is assuming you are a actual cop

__________________
Slightly Stoopid
"Before you knock it, try it first. You will learn that it is a blessing and not a curse"
-Ben Harper

RIP JMorrison

Do you mean if they don't know its a joint? Because I am pretty sure they can pull you over for smoking a joint. But the pipe thing is a question I would like to see answered too.

__________________
There are things known and there are things unknown and in between are the Doors - Jim Morrison

9-11-01

Slate

Dispersion,
The perceptions of the officers at scene normally dictate what the actions will be. Simple advice to you, make sure the smell doesn't leave your apt.

The type of "call for service" also determines a alot. True story; I got a call of, "child abuse in progress, child heard screaming, possible murder(187) in progress." Upon arrival all the lights are out, no noise inside and no smell of weed. So what do I do? Kick to door in, gun drawn looking for the weak-a$$ SOB with a pillow over a childs face or something. Inside was only six or so guys smokin-up....ooopps. It took all of 2 seconds to realize what just occured. I turned around, walked out and found the original caller. The nextdoor neighbor was arrested for 911 abuse.

BTW, the city replaced the door, free of charge.

Slate

Slightly Brilliant,
Based on my observations, expertise, traning and experience, if you appear to be under the influence of any drug, I have the right to detain you. In a car passing by, I doubt I would be able to make a solid observation that would warrant further investigation. It could happen though, say we are side-by-side at a stop-light, then sure. If you have the objective symptoms I can stop you, smell or no smell.

Slightly Stoopid

The all to paranoic "side by side" I hate being side by side with the police! Not that i don't enjoy your great company, i just feel.. scared

Thanks for the info slate!

Oh and my last question.. Seeing that you aren't marijuana users yourselves, what do you LEO think of the drug? Do you think it is fair, i mean the punishment for the crime.. Or do you think we are deserving.. You guys must have some sympothy for us, or you wouldn't be giving us such important info, and trust me we do appreciate it!
i don't care if you answer it, in fact i am sure someone has asked it before on these boards. Because when my freind got caught after school, he said the cop acted almost sympathetic.

PS: Slate that story of you arresting thatcaller for 911 abuse brought a smile to my face But i am not saying child abuse it cool, or murder....

mirage

if slate is a LEO should he/she not have the mark of a leo?

AfRo

I got a few questions:

1) Can i get in trouble for smelling like weed, I know they could probably ask me about it, but can they search me and if they were to search me and found nothing, where would a police officer go from there?

2) If my eyes are red but i dont smell like herb is there really anything a cop could do about it even if I act weird or stoned?

3) If a cop starts to ask me questions, and asks if I consent to a search and I say yes, since i dont have anything on me would he be allowed legally to confiscate my lighter?(I know it's just a lighter, but it would bug me not to have one on my person, just in case something comes up)

I live in AZ if that helps

Slate

Slightly Stoopid,
Trust me, I fired up a couple times growing up and yes my department knew about when I got hired.

The American Medical Assoc recognizes MJ as a legitimate RX drug. So do I.

I would much rather be in a room full of ganja smokers than heroin shooters anyday.

AfRo,
Smelling like weed is no crime.

Having the objective symptoms (red blood-shot watery eyes, pin-point pupils, smelling like MJ) of being under the influence of weed is another story especially when driving. In California it is against the law.

With no crime and no objective symptoms, no your lighter cannot be confiscated. Unless it's a bowl disguised as a lighter.

Paraphernalia tip- If there is MJ residue on/in it, it can be cofiscated. No residue present it shouldn't be taken, per CA law.

Niteshift

"should he/she not have the mark of a leo?"

Why was the first thing I thought of when I read that the scene from "The Omen" when they found the 666 on Damien's head? LOL