In a bid to protect people’s rights, Missouri Representative Ian Mackey has put forward a new bill to stop police from searching vehicles or properties based solely on the smell of marijuana. The proposal follows the path of other states like Maryland and New Jersey, where laws have changed to address concerns about cannabis-related searches.
This isn’t the first time Rep. Mackey has raised this issue. He tried it in 2021, but it didn’t go far. Now, in 2024, he’s bringing it back to make sure people’s privacy is respected.
The bill is simple – it says that cops can’t use the smell of marijuana alone as a reason to search a car, home, or any private property.
This move is part of a growing trend. In places where marijuana is legal, like Maryland, they’ve already made it against the law to search a car just because it smells like weed. And even New Jersey’s top court agrees – they say it’s not a good enough reason for a search.
In Missouri, things are changing in the world of weed. Since they gave the thumbs up to legalizing it in 2022, over 100,000 past marijuana cases have been wiped from the records. And, as of November, people in Missouri spent more than a billion dollars on weed in 2023, whether it’s for fun or medical reasons.
The money made from weed sales is going back to the community. Lawmakers are putting $17 million into helping veterans, supporting drug treatment, and providing legal aid. It shows a commitment to using weed money for good causes.
As we gear up for the legislative session, all eyes are on Rep. Mackey’s bill. If it passes, it could mean a big change in how the police deal with marijuana in Missouri.
