While many of us were out looking for the latest holiday sales on clothes, shoes and home goods, an elderly couple had a different idea for spreading holiday cheer. They stocked up on 60 pounds of high-grade pot intended, they say, for family Christmas gifts. The couple then started driving east toward Vermont to visit family.
According to police in Nebraska, they pulled-over Patrick Jiron, 80 and Barbara Jiron, 70 for a traffic violation when the Toyota Tacoma they were driving wove across a center line and the driver failed to signal.
Some people traveling across country might claim long hours of driving as the culprit. In the Jirons’ case the fresh pot smell emanating from the vehicle gave the deputies probable cause to further their investigation. What they discovered was 60 pounds of marijuana.
The Jirons’ Christmas plans were dashed when the couple was arrested for possession with the intent to distribute and no drug tax stamp. While many states, including neighboring Colorado, have legalized marijuana, this is not the case in Nebraska.
What Nebraska is quickly discovering, is the impact the legality of marijuana in other states has on law enforcement in their state.
The Jirons might have been under the impression that they were providing a welcome gift to family members in Vermont. In addition, they may have procured the supply legally and been used to distributing pot. However, driving across state lines with a large stash got them into hot water with authorities in Nebraska where it is not legal.
Given the rapid changes in state marijuana drug laws and the differences between each state’s statutes for growing, selling and distributing pot, it is important to be aware of your rights. If you do get caught you’ll need to contact an attorney who specializes in these cases.