If the police find weed, cannabis, or marijuana in a motorist’s vehicle they will most likely issue a summons for possession in a motor vehicle. While young drivers may not think anything of this, believe me when I tell you it is a serious offense; one for which you would do well to have a qualified DWI and drug DUI defense attorney by your side.
You may ask, why? First off, New Jersey law prohibits anyone from driving a car, SUV or truck while at the same time knowingly being in possession of marijuana. The key word here is knowingly, but that is another topic for another day. Suffice it to say, this law is directed at operators solely and cannot be applied to other occupants of the vehicle.
As New Jersey drunk driving defense lawyer, I have represented people accused of marijuana possession in a vehicle, as well as driving under the influence of a controlled substance and simple DWI. The penalty for marijuana possession in a vehicle includes a mandatory two-year license suspension.
Recently a young man was arrested by Mendham police on charges of marijuana possession in a motor vehicle, among others. According to news reports, the suspect attempted to eat the evidence to avoid being caught, however this strategy did not work out the way he planned.
The incident in question happened in the later morning on a Thursday while the young man was turning from Cold Hill Road onto Route 24. Based on police reports, 19-year-old Ryan Kuppersmith of Long Hill was pulled over after police noticed his rear-view mirror was obstructed.
The officer in charge stated that Kuppersmith did not stop immediately and was observed manipulating something inside the vehicle prior to pulling to the roadside. As the officer approached the suspect’s vehicle he reportedly detected the odor of marijuana. During his interrogation of the driver, the patrolman could see what he assumed was marijuana stuck in the teenager’s teeth and along his gums.
The assumption was that the man had had eaten the marijuana. As a result, Kuppersmith was charged with being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), possession of marijuana under 50 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia, hindering prosecution, obstructing administration of law, possession of a CDS in a motor vehicle, obstructed view and failure to exhibit proper documents.
Mendham police charge teen with eating marijuana stash while being pulled over, NJ.com, February 02, 2010