House Bill 7258 Seeks to Expand Police Powers on Marijuana Stops

1 April 2025

Connecticut lawmakers are considering major changes to how cannabis use is policed on the roads, as they debate House Bill 7258, a proposal that would allow police to pull over drivers if they both see and smell cannabis consumption behind the wheel.

The bill, now under review by the state’s Judiciary Committee, is being pushed by law enforcement leaders who cite rising concerns about impaired driving. Under current law, Connecticut police cannot stop a vehicle solely based on the smell of cannabis or visible use unless another traffic violation occurs. HB 7258 would change that, giving officers new authority to initiate traffic stops when both cannabis use is observed and the odor of burnt marijuana is detected.

Supporters of the bill argue that the measure is a necessary step to prevent crashes caused by cannabis-impaired drivers.

In addition to authorizing new traffic stop procedures, the bill orders a study by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection to examine the feasibility of establishing a legal blood-THC limit for drivers — similar to blood alcohol concentration (BAC) standards. Connecticut would look to states like Colorado, Illinois, and Washington, which have already implemented per se THC driving limits. A report with recommendations is due to lawmakers by February 1, 2026.

Who Is Affected and How

If enacted, HB 7258 would have wide-reaching impacts across Connecticut:

• Drivers: Both medical cannabis patients and adult-use consumers could face increased traffic stops, even if they are not impaired, based on the presence of cannabis odor and visible use. Critics warn this could disproportionately impact communities of color, based on historic patterns of racial profiling in drug enforcement.

• Medical Cannabis Users: Patients who legally consume cannabis for therapeutic reasons may face legal risks if the scent of past use is detected, even if they are sober while driving.

• The Cannabis Industry: A rise in perceived enforcement against cannabis consumers could damage public confidence in legal cannabis markets, potentially discouraging new users or customers.

• Law Enforcement: Officers would gain broader authority to stop vehicles, but critics argue that without accurate roadside THC testing tools or a sufficient number of trained Drug Recognition Experts (DREs), assessing real impairment remains highly unreliable.

Criticism and Civil Rights Concerns

Civil liberties groups, public defenders, and cannabis advocates are pushing back hard against HB 7258. They argue that THC levels in the blood are not reliable indicators of impairment because cannabis metabolizes differently from alcohol, especially among frequent or medical users.

Opponents also fear that the bill could open the door to unconstitutional searches and revive tactics reminiscent of the failed "War on Drugs," especially given the documented racial disparities in previous cannabis policing practices. Several critics advocate instead for public education campaigns, improved training for officers, and better roadside sobriety protocols.

Moreover, while the bill requires a study of THC per se limits, critics warn that even states that have set those thresholds face ongoing legal challenges, as science around cannabis impairment remains inconclusive.

The Legislative Path Ahead

House Bill 7258 must clear the Judiciary Committee before it moves to the full House and Senate. Even if passed, many expect legal challenges, especially if traffic stop data suggest disproportionate impacts on minority drivers.