State v. Bell

Citations

• 2023 Ohio 1588

Syllabus

The trial court did not err in overruling appellant's motion to suppress drug evidence found in the course of a traffic stop. After making a valid stop for failure to display a required license-plate county sticker, an officer approached appellant's car and smelled raw marijuana. This fact entitled the officer to conduct a brief investigation to determine whether a drug offense had been committed. During that investigation, which lasted just minutes, appellant produced a Tupperware container of marijuana. Although appellant held a medical-marijuana card, the raw marijuana was being stored in violation of Ohio's medical-marijuana regulations. Appellant then consented to a full search of his car, which resulted in the discovery of methamphetamine and other contraband. Under these circumstances, the trial court correctly found no constitutional violation and overruled appellant's suppression motion. Judgment affirmed.