CA1: Marijuana odor upheld for determination of PC, still a federal crime even though state decriminalized possession and use.
United States v. Pavao: What K9 Units Need to Know About Marijuana Detection and Search & Seizure Law Introduction: Why Pavao Matters for Police K9 Search and Seizure The intersection of K9 police work and search and seizure law continues to evolve—especially in states where marijuana has been legalized or decriminalized. A recent appellate decision, United States v. Pavao (1st Cir. 2024), has reaffirmed a critical legal principle: the odor of marijuana can still serve as probable cause or reasonable suspicion, regardless of local decriminalization. For law enforcement agencies and K9 handlers, this ruling offers a solid legal foundation for [...]