Many years ago when I did some criminal defense work, I saw police officers, while testifying under oath in DUI cases, rattle off the tired old line that the defendant had a "strong odor of alcohol on his breath," that his eyes were bloodshot and that his speech was slurred - whether it was true or not seemed not to matter to the judges and the juries always seemed to accept it as gospel - after all, why would an officer lie? So now they create probable cause for a search of the vehicle (and your person) by stating that they smell marijuana. If they "find" a baggie in your vehicle during their search, what then? In 99 times out of 100, if it's your word against the officers of the peace, you lose.
Having those trial experiences (one of many reasons I stopped taking any criminal cases years and years ago - "They're all guilty, they're all broke and they expect miracles" as one lawyer put it) and having a niece whose ex husband was a local cop, a bully and a creep, my advice is to be polite and cooperative if you are stopped by the police for a traffic offense. And don't please don't drive if you have been drinking or indulging in proscribed substances - most especially if you are out en femme (that's what designated drivers and taxis are for after a night out on the town).
