Know the Search Laws to Avoid a Pot Bust [Video]

The new laws legalizing marijuana in some states make an ounce of weed almost as easy to buy as a bottle of beer.  For example, voters in Colorado and Washington made recreational use of pot lawful, it’s still illegal in Oregon. Lawyers.com reporter Kate Stafford explains some of the legal rights of pot smokers.

To avoid getting busted, it is essential that you know the laws of search and seizure. Keith Stroup, a criminal law attorney who founded the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), discusses legal points that marijuana users should know.

• While driving your car, there are three circumstances where you can refuse to let the police conduct a search.

•  If you are stopped on the street, the police can pat you down in some situations.

• If the police show up at your home while marijuana is being smoked, you don’t have to let them in – unless you make a simple mistake.

If you need legal advice about the marijuana laws where you live, you can find a local criminal law attorney on Lawyers.com.

Find out more about the dramatic changes in marijuana laws:

How Much Weed You Can Hold and Not Get Busted

The Final Days of Prohibition for Marijuana [VIDEO]

NORML Founder on Public Support for Legalization

Pot Shops Don’t Boost Teen Drug Use, Study Says

Respected Federal Judge Calls for Legalizing Marijuana

Appeals Court Considers Marijuana Reclassification

Three-part series on medical marijuana:

• Part one: US Attorneys Turn to Intimidation in a War on Medical Marijuana
• Part two: Feds and Local Cops Conspire to Put Medical Marijuana Sales Out on the Streets
• Part three:Trailblazing Medical Marijuana Cooperative Confronts Uncertain Future