Summer is now in full swing throughout the country, which means many people will be packing up their vehicles and hitting the road. Road trips can present many dangers, but one that you may not expect is the possibility of violating laws that vary from your home state. This is particularly true if you live in a state that has recently legalized medical or recreational marijuana.
A Colorado man recently learned this the hard way when he was arrested in Eddyville after a routine traffic stop. The man was driving through the state on I-24, but was taken into custody after the traffic stop revealed that he had about an ounce of marijuana in the vehicle, drug paraphernalia and a couple of firearms. The man now faces a number of charges.
This type of scenario is more common than you’d think when traveling between states. Although we all live in America, the state where you reside may have drastically different laws than those of the state you drive through — especially when it comes to drugs and firearms. Here in Kentucky, the laws regarding drug possession are vastly different to those in Colorado or even some of our closer neighbors.
As you pack up the car and head out on that road trip this summer, be sure to consider the legality of everything you’re taking with you, and the states that you are traveling through. Should you run into trouble, don’t hesitate to reach out to an experienced attorney to ensure that the issues can be settled fairly while keeping your rights protected throughout the process.
Source: West Kentucky Star, “Colorado Man Arrested for Pot Possession,” May 24, 2017