The Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, along with several legislators, is pushing for a new law that would allow police officers to stop vehicles if they detect the smell of marijuana or see someone consuming cannabis while driving. This proposed legislation, known as HB 7258, would also require the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection to study the possibility of establishing a blood tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) level similar to the legal limit for blood alcohol content for driving.
Currently, it is illegal to smoke marijuana while driving in Connecticut. However, under existing laws, officers cannot stop a vehicle solely for observing someone smoking cannabis unless there is another primary violation. Meriden Police Chief Roberto Rosado, who is also the president of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, testified in favor of the bill, stating it would provide necessary clarity for law enforcement. He emphasized that preventing motor vehicle accidents caused by impaired drivers is a top priority, as these incidents can lead to severe injuries and fatalities.
State Representative Steven Stafstrom, a Democrat from Bridgeport and co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee, expressed some skepticism about the bill’s necessity, noting that there are already laws against driving under the influence. He stated that police already have considerable discretion to pull over vehicles for various reasons, including suspected impairment. Stafstrom acknowledged that if an officer observes someone smoking cannabis and detects the odor, it could reasonably lead to inferring that the driver is under the influence, which constitutes probable cause under current law.
Opponents of the bill argue that it represents a backward step in marijuana policy, claiming that establishing a blood THC limit is scientifically problematic since THC can linger in the bloodstream for days or weeks after consumption. Christina Capitan, co-founder of CT CannaWarriors, voiced strong opposition, arguing that the bill attempts to reinstate aspects of the drug war by allowing police to use the odor of cannabis as a pretext for stops and searches, which has historically led to issues of racial profiling and wrongful arrests.
