A warrantless search of a car or truck in Tennessee is usually prohibited , however there are exceptions to this rule. If a police officer can demonstrate probable cause that a car might contain marijuana , a police officer can search a car or truck. The big question is whether the smell of marijuana is enough to justify a search of a car in Tennessee.

Tennessee Courts have upheld a warrantless search of a car  based on the smell of marijuana alone.  One question is  it the smell of raw marijuana or burnt marijuana . Does the smell of marijuana limit the search to the interior of the car ?

Using the smell of marijuana should always be contested in a automobile search. One can test the officer in several ways;

• What was his training in the odor of marijuana ?
• What was his experience ?
• Was there any other evidence of marijuana use found ?

Time and time again I see that there is no evidence recovered of burnt marijuana after the traffic stop. How do you combat the officer’s testimony ? Get an independent witness to smell the car.. The Fourth Amendment is constantly being eroded and the smell is enough to search a car.