Connecticut General Statutes 54-33p – Restrictions on cannabis-related stop or search of a person or motor vehicle
(a) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the existence of any of the following circumstances shall not constitute in part or in whole probable cause or reasonable suspicion and shall not be used as a basis to support any stop or search of a person or motor vehicle:
Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 54-33p
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
- Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(1) The odor of cannabis or burnt cannabis;
(2) The possession of or the suspicion of possession of cannabis without evidence that the quantity of cannabis is or suspected to be in excess of five ounces of cannabis plant material, as defined in § 21a-279a, or an equivalent amount of cannabis products or a combination of cannabis and cannabis products, as provided in subsection (i) of § 21a-279a; or
(3) The presence of cash or currency in proximity to cannabis without evidence that such cash or currency exceeds five hundred dollars.
(b) Any evidence discovered as a result of any stop or search conducted in violation of this section shall not be admissible in evidence in any trial, hearing or other proceeding in a court of this state.
(c) A law enforcement official may conduct a test for impairment based on the odor of cannabis or burnt cannabis if such official reasonably suspects the operator of violating § 14-227a, 14-227m or 14-227n.
(d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a probation officer supervising a probationer who, as a condition of probation, is prohibited from using or possessing cannabis.