"Marijuana Law gives us the legal armaments with which to resist unfair police methods. [Boire's] book contains the most important things about marijuana law that a user must know." 

-J. Tony Serra,
Attorney at Law

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Over 30 million people in the United States regularly smoke marijuana. Approximately 400,000 defendants each year are charged with the use, possession, sale, or circulation of marijuana. Marijuana Law describes how people can reduce the probability of arrest and defend themselves from prosecution if arrested. Readers will learn when a police officer can legally stop them, when they can be searched, when they have to be read their rights, what to do if an officer comes to their home with (or without) a search warrant, and how to counter many police tactics simply by knowing their rights.  

Richard Glen Boire is also the author of Sacred Mushrooms & the Law.

Among the general public, the law concerning consent is perhaps the most misunderstood. The general rule is that if a person consents to a warrantless search, the search automatically becomes reasonable and therefore legal. Consequently, whatever an officer finds during such a search will be used to convict the person. Simply put, if a person consents to a search, he has waived the primary protection offered by the Fourth Amendment. 

The sad fact is that most people believe that when an officer approaches them and asks permission to search their person or enter their home, that they are required to grant the officer's request. The truth is the exact opposite -- you have a right to associate with and speak to whomever you please. In this respect, there is nothing special about a police officer. Whenever a police officer asks your permission to search, you are under no obligation to consent. The only reason he is asking is that he doesn't yet have enough evidence to forcibly search. By consenting you are giving up one of the most important constitutional rights you have.

This expanded 2nd edition contains the latest information on the necessity defense in medical marijuana cases, drug testing, case law, and federal sentencing guidelines. It also contains practical tips on individual rights and avoiding surveillance. You will find appendices on the Bill of Rights, wallet cards, state-by-state punishment for marijuana crimes, and the 13 federal circuits, as well as a thorough index.

HOW MR. PUFF PROPERLY ASSERTED HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS: 

Officer Friday stopped Mr. Puff's vehicle because his registration was expired, and asked Mr. Puff, "Would you please empty the contents of your pockets?" 

Mr. Puff properly said, "Are you asking me to empty my pockets, or are you ordering me to empty my pockets?" When Friday said he was simply asking, Mr. Puff properly said, "No thanks, and I really must be going." going.

Analysis: Mr. Puff's question to Friday was entirely appropriate. In fact, Mr. Puff's response was an effective method of turning the table on the officer. If Friday had told Mr. Puff that he was ordering him to empty his pockets, Mr. Puff could have properly responded, "Get a search warrant. I do not consent to your search and would like to continue on my way." That way, if the officer had proceeded to search Mr. Puff's pockets without a warrant, Mr. Puff's lawyer could argue that the search was illegal. If Mr. Puff had consented, his lawyer would have no argument.