Getting pulled over with weed in your car is not the most pleasant situation to find yourself in. However, as long as you are not impaired or commit any other traffic offenses and your chemical tests come back negative, it should not affect your car insurance premiums. Nevertheless, it is still a criminal offense in most states to have marijuana in your vehicle regardless of whether it’s legal or not.
Depending on how it’s stored in your vehicle, and the circumstances surrounding your stop, there’s no guarantee you won’t be pulled over and searched by law enforcement. That said, there are several things you can do to avoid this scenario entirely.
As much as you may want to hide that stash of marijuana under your seat or in your trunk in a jar with a teflon-lined lid, the fact is, it’s illegal to possess drugs in New York no matter how they are stored. Therefore, if an officer smells or sees something suspicious in your vehicle, they will ask you to consent to a search of your vehicle.
In some cases, the police officer will decide there is not enough probable cause to search your vehicle. However, if they do find a marijuana pipe or an open container of weed in your car, you could be facing a whole boatload of penalties including jail time and fines. If you’re charged with possession of marijuana, even for a first-time offense, it’s best to consult with an experienced attorney who is familiar with these types of cases.
