State v. Lewis - Suppression Affirmed, Vehicle Search Improper Without Probable Cause

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April 16, 2026 Get Citation Alerts Download PDF Add Note

State v. Lewis

Ohio Court of Appeals

• Citations: 2026 Ohio 1382
• Docket Number: 115526

• Judges: E.T. Gallagher

• Opinion

• Authorities (25)

• Cited By (0)

• Summaries (0)

• Similar Cases (51.6K)

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Syllabus

Motion to suppress; traffic stop; probable cause; odor; burnt marijuana; vehicle search; automobile exception; R.C. 3780.36; R.C. 3780.99; smoking marijuana while in vehicle. The trial court did not err in determining that the police officer lacked probable cause to search appellant's vehicle. The odor of burnt marijuana combined with appellant's admission that he had smoked marijuana in the vehicle earlier that day supported a potential violation of former R.C. 3780.36(D)(2), which prohibits smoking marijuana in a vehicle. However, pursuant to former R.C. 3780.99, this provision only applies to passengers in a vehicle, not the operator of the vehicle. Accordingly, probable cause that a criminal offense had been committed did not exist, and the search of appellant's vehicle was improper.

Combined Opinion

[Cite as State v. Lewis, 2026-Ohio-1382.]

COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO

EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA

STATE OF OHIO, :

Plaintiff-Appellant, :
No. 115526
v. :

MARLON LEWIS, :

Defendant-Appellee. :

JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION

JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: April 16, 2026

Criminal Appeal from the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Case No. CR-25-701261-A

Appearances:

Michael C. O’Malley, Cuyahoga County Prosecuting
Attorney, and Sarah Hutnik, Assistant Prosecuting
Attorney, for appellant.

Cullen Sweeney, Cuyahoga County Public Defender, and
Michael V. Wilhelm, Assistant Public Defender, for
appellee.

EILEEN T. GALLAGHER, P.J.:

Appellant State of Ohio appeals the judgment of the trial court granting

appellee Marlon Lewis’s (“Lewis”) motion to suppress and holding that there was no

probable cause to justify the search of Lewis’s vehicle.
After a thorough review of the applicable law and facts, we agree with

the trial court that probable cause did not exist to support the search of Lewis’s

vehicle, and the motion to suppress was therefore properly granted. We overrule

the sole assignment of error and affirm the judgment of the trial court.

I. Factual and Procedural History

In March 2025, Sergeant Luke Petrie (“Sgt. Petrie”) of the North

Olmsted Police Department was on routine patrol when he observed Lewis roll

through a stop light and fail to use his turn signal when turning eastbound. (Tr. 6

and 16.) When Sgt. Petrie was driving behind Lewis, he could smell the odor of burnt

marijuana. (Tr. 7.)

Sgt. Petrie initiated a traffic stop. As he approached Lewis’s vehicle, he

detected a strong odor of burnt marijuana from inside the car. (Tr. 7 and 9.) Sgt.

Petrie asked Lewis if he had any marijuana, firearms, or anything illegal in the

vehicle. (State’s exhibit No. 1.) Lewis denied possessing any such items. (Id.) Lewis

admitted that he had smoked marijuana in his vehicle earlier that day. (Id.; tr. 10.)

Sgt. Petrie ordered Lewis to step out of his vehicle and patted him down.

(State’s exhibit No. 1.) He asked Lewis for consent to search his vehicle, but Lewis

declined. (Id.) Sgt. Petrie told Lewis that because there was burnt marijuana in the

vehicle, he had probable cause to search in Lewis’s immediate area of the vehicle.

(Id.)

During the search, Sgt. Petrie recovered several smoked marijuana

blunts in the center console. (Tr. 12.) He also found a bag containing smoking
wrappers, odor-masking spray, and a loaded firearm in a holster. (Id.; State’s

exhibit No. 1.)

Lewis was indicted on one count of having weapons while under

disability, a felony of the third degree, in violation of R.C. 2923.13(A)(2); one count

of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, a felony of the fourth degree, in

violation of R.C. 2923.16(B); and one count of carrying a concealed weapon, a felony

of the fourth degree, in violation of R.C. 2923.12(A)(2).

Lewis filed a motion to suppress, arguing that the police lacked

probable cause to search his vehicle. He asserted that the marijuana was legally

possessed and therefore did not constitute contraband. He sought to suppress all of

the evidence obtained from the search conducted of his vehicle, which included the

firearm that had been inside a bag in the vehicle.

The State filed a brief in opposition, maintaining that the traffic stop

was proper and that police were authorized to investigate certain offenses involving

marijuana, even if recreational use was legal. The State asserted that the odor

observed by Sgt. Petrie indicated recent use of marijuana and that it was illegal to

smoke marijuana in a vehicle.

The trial court held a hearing on the motion where the State presented

the testimony of Sgt. Petrie and offered video from his body camera as an exhibit.

The sergeant described his initial interaction with Lewis and said that he had

“wanted to talk to see if he was possibly under the influence, just his mannerisms. I

also look at someone’s eyes when talking to them seeing if they’re glassy, bloodshot.”
(Tr. 9.) Sgt. Petrie testified that Lewis admitted to smoking marijuana in his vehicle

earlier that day while working on his vehicle. (Tr. 10 and 26.) He stated that, after

further questioning about the burnt marijuana odor, Lewis conceded that there were

used marijuana blunts in the center console. (Tr. 11.)

Sgt. Petrie had his backup officer stay with Lewis while the sergeant

checked the immediate area of the vehicle — specifically, “[w]here he can reach,

which would be the front seat, passenger seat, and reach behind him easily.”

(Tr. 12.) During the search, Sgt. Petrie found “a lot of used marijuana blunts.” (Id.)

Sgt. Petrie also looked in a bag that was on the front passenger seat. Inside he found

“wrappings from more smoking,” deodorizer spray, and a firearm. (Id.)

On cross-examination, Sgt. Petrie acknowledged that he did not

conduct a field-sobriety test during the stop. He conceded that he had made the

decision to search the vehicle because of the smell of burnt marijuana. (Tr. 20.)

With regard to the bag on the front passenger seat, Sgt. Petrie described it as “slightly

open” but that he did not recall anything being visible before he opened the bag.

(Id.) He further admitted that there was “nothing lit . . . within the bag itself. . . .”

(Tr. 21.) He explained that he searched Lewis’s car because “burnt marijuana in the

vehicle is illegal.” (Tr. 22.)

Sgt. Petrie subsequently admitted that burnt marijuana in a vehicle

was not “per se illegal anymore” and that an individual would be allowed to smoke

marijuana at home while sitting in his or her driveway while working on a vehicle.

(Id.) He acknowledged that operating a vehicle while under the influence (“OVI”)
was illegal but admitted that there was no indication of an OVI during his stop of

Lewis. (Id.)

On redirect examination, Sgt. Petrie agreed that he believed that Lewis

could have been under the influence and that that was the reason he searched

Lewis’s vehicle. (Tr. 27.) The court inquired of Sgt. Petrie why he did not conduct a

field-sobriety test. Sgt. Petrie stated that he was “more worried about the marijuana

in the vehicle and the fact that he was smoking and driving and I just did not do

one.” (Tr. 29.)

The State then conducted further redirect examination of Sgt. Petrie

and asked if he had a belief that Lewis could have been intoxicated. (Tr. 32.) Sgt.

Petrie responded affirmatively. (Id.) When asked if that was the reason for the stop,

the sergeant said, “From his driving, yes, I believe that he was under the – possibly

under the influence of something.” (Id.) He acknowledged that the smell of burnt

marijuana and Lewis’s admission that he had smoked marijuana earlier that day

contributed to his suspicion. (Id.)

The court then asked Sgt. Petrie if he became more comfortable that

Lewis was “not an OVI” after interacting and spending more time with him. Sgt.

Petrie responded that yes, he had felt comfortable for Lewis “to drive off.” (Tr. 33.)

Following Sgt. Petrie’s testimony, the State argued that probable cause

existed to search Lewis’s vehicle from (1) Lewis’s traffic violations, (2) the smell of

burnt marijuana, (3) Lewis’s admission that he had smoked marijuana in his vehicle

earlier, and (4) Lewis’s denial that there was marijuana in the vehicle.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court granted the motion to

suppress, finding that there was no probable cause to search Lewis’s vehicle. The

court noted Sgt. Petrie’s belief that Lewis might have been under the influence was

reduced over the time of the stop, and he did not conduct field sobriety tests.

(Tr. 39.) The court stated that it appeared that Sgt. Petrie was searching to locate

marijuana and not to find evidence of insobriety. (Tr. 39.) Ultimately, the court

found: “[I]f [Sgt. Petrie did not] believe there’s even enough probable cause to have

[Lewis] participate in the field sobriety test, it’s hard to think that we ought to believe

there’s enough for him to give up his privacy rights.” (Tr. 40.)

All evidence obtained from the search was suppressed, and the State

filed the instant appeal.

II. Law and Analysis

The State argues that the trial court erred in granting Lewis’s motion

to suppress and finding that there was no probable cause for the search. The State

contends that it is still the law of Ohio under State v. Moore, 90 Ohio St.3d 47

(2000), that the odor of burnt marijuana alone is sufficient to constitute probable

cause of a violation of the Ohio Revised Code. Here, the State maintains that the

violation was of former R.C. 3780.36(D)(2), in effect at the time of the offense, which

prohibits smoking marijuana in a vehicle.

Appellate review of a motion to suppress presents a mixed question of

law and fact. State v. Burnside, 2003-Ohio-5372, ¶ 8. “When considering a motion

to suppress, the trial court assumes the role of trier of fact and is therefore in the
best position to resolve factual questions and evaluate the credibility of witnesses.”

Id., citing State v. Mills, 62 Ohio St.3d 357, 366 (1992). On appeal, we “must accept

the trial court’s findings of fact if they are supported by competent, credible

evidence.” Id., citing State v. Fanning, 1 Ohio St.3d 19 (1982). Accepting these facts

as true, we must then “independently determine as a matter of law, without

deference to the trial court’s conclusion, whether the facts satisfy the applicable legal

standard.” Id., citing State v. McNamara, 124 Ohio App.3d 706 (4th Dist. 1997).

“However, we review de novo the application of the law to these facts.” State v.

Belton, 2016-Ohio-1581, ¶ 100, citing Burnside at ¶ 8.

The material facts are not in dispute in this matter. The sole question

before us is whether the facts presented at the suppression hearing satisfy the

applicable legal standard for the search of Lewis’s vehicle. The State bears the

burden of establishing the validity of a warrantless search. Lakewood v. Shelton,

2011-Ohio-4408, ¶ 13 (8th Dist.), citing Xenia v. Wallace, 37 Ohio St.3d 216, 218

(1988).

The automobile exception to the Fourth Amendment permits the

warrantless search of an operational vehicle where the officers have probable cause

to believe that the vehicle contains evidence of a crime. State v. Stewart, 2020-

Ohio-2720, ¶ 8 (8th Dist.), citing United States v. Tamari, 454 F.3d 1259, 1264 (11th

Cir. 2006), citing Maryland v. Dyson, 527 U.S. 465, 466 (1999), and United States

v. Magluta, 418 F.3d 1166, 1182 (11th Cir. 2005). There is probable cause to search

a vehicle if, under the totality of the circumstances, “‘there is a fair probability that
contraband or evidence of a crime will be found’ in a vehicle.” Tamari, citing United

States v. Goddard, 312 F.3d 1360, 1363 (11th Cir. 2002).

The State asks us to follow Moore, which held that “the smell of

marijuana, alone, by a person qualified to recognize the odor, is sufficient to

establish probable cause to search a motor vehicle, pursuant to the automobile

exception to the warrant requirement.” Moore, 90 Ohio St.3d at 48. However, at

the time of Lewis’s traffic stop, recreational marijuana had been legalized in Ohio,

rendering marijuana not necessarily contraband. Consequently, “the smell of

marijuana [was] no longer automatically indicative of criminal activity, as it was at

the time that Moore [was] decided.” State v. Gray, 2025-Ohio-4607, ¶ 61 (1st Dist.).

As of December 7, 2023, Ohio law allows the cultivation, possession,

and use of certain quantities of marijuana for recreational purposes.1 Under

R.C. 3780.36(A), an adult is permitted to use, possess, transfer, transport, and

purchase cannabis. The amount of cannabis that can be possessed, transferred, or

transported was limited in former R.C. 3780.36(B).

Nevertheless, there are still restrictions on some activities where

marijuana may be involved. Pertinent to this matter, former R.C. 3780.36(D)

prohibited operating a vehicle while using and smoking marijuana while in a vehicle:

(1) An individual is prohibited from operating a vehicle, motor vehicle,
streetcar, trackless trolley, bike, watercraft, or aircraft while using adult
use cannabis or while under the influence of adult use cannabis and is

1 On March 20, 2026, Am. Sub. S.B. 56 went into effect, which maintained the

legalization of recreational-use marijuana but imposed new guidelines and restrictions.
subject to section 4511.19 of the Revised Code for any violation of this
division.

(2) An individual is prohibited from smoking, vaporizing, or using any
other combustible adult use cannabis product while in a vehicle, motor
vehicle, streetcar, trackless trolley, bike, watercraft, or aircraft and is
subject to section 4511.19 of the Revised Code for any violation of this
division.

There has been minimal case law since the legalization of recreational-

use marijuana in Ohio as to whether the odor of marijuana alone can still support

probable cause for the search of a vehicle, but we will discuss the approaches of

several other Ohio appellate districts.

The Fifth District and the First District have declined to continue to

follow Moore. In State v. Duch, 2025-Ohio-1162 (5th Dist.), the Fifth District

analyzed the odor of burnt marijuana as probable cause to conduct field-sobriety

tests. The court compared a traffic stop where the odor of alcohol is present along

with other indicia of intoxication.

We see no reason why the odor of burnt marijuana should not be
subject to the same analysis as the odor of alcohol. State v. Gray, 2024-
Ohio-347, ¶ 20 (5th Dist.). However, we wish to emphasize that on
December 7, 2023, the use of recreational marijuana became legal in
Ohio. See, e.g., [former] R.C. 3780.29 (Home Grow); [former]
R.C. 3780.36 (Limitations on Conduct by Individuals). Therefore, the
odor of burnt or raw marijuana alone, would not be sufficient to
provide a reasonable suspicion to expand the scope of the initial traffic
stop in order to conduct field sobriety tests.

Id. at ¶ 27. In Duch, the defendant had red, bloodshot eyes, the officer smelled the

odor of marijuana, and the defendant admitted that he had smoked marijuana in his

vehicle earlier that day. Id. at ¶ 28. The Duch Court determined that, under the
totality of the circumstances, the officer had a reasonable suspicion that Duch was

driving under the influence and therefore the traffic stop could be extended to

conduct field-sobriety tests.

In State v. Gray, 2025-Ohio-4607 (1st Dist.), the First District noted

that the Ohio Supreme Court had not yet spoken on the issue and conducted a very

thorough analysis of applicable law, including case law from other states that had

legalized marijuana. The Gray Court explained that Michigan, Colorado, and

Illinois have all determined that the smell of marijuana standing alone could no

longer support probable cause but could be considered as a factor when examining

the totality of the circumstances. Id. at ¶ 53-60.

The Gray Court came to the same conclusion:

[T]he odor of marijuana remains a relevant factor under the totality of
the circumstances in a probable-cause analysis. If the smell of
marijuana was coupled with another factor or factors, such as smoke
emanating from the vehicle, impaired driving, or other signs of
impairment, it is more likely that an officer would have probable cause
to search a vehicle under the automobile exception to the warrant
requirement.

Id. at ¶ 62.

On the other hand, the Ninth District affirmed a trial court’s reliance

on Moore and upheld a search based solely upon the odor of burnt marijuana in a

vehicle. State v. Dejournett, 2026-Ohio-640 (9th Dist.). The Dejournett Court

noted that while the case did not involve intoxication, and the defendant argued that

marijuana “was no longer contraband” in Ohio, it was still illegal to smoke

marijuana in a vehicle under former R.C. 3780.36(D)(2). Id. at ¶ 8. The court held
that the officer had probable cause to search the vehicle based solely on the odor of

burnt marijuana. Id. at ¶ 9.

In the instant matter, the odor of marijuana combined with Lewis’s

admission that he had smoked marijuana in the vehicle earlier that day is indicative

of a violation of former R.C. 3780.36(D)(2). The statute was written quite narrowly

— it prohibits simply being in a vehicle while smoking marijuana.

However, former R.C. 3780.99(B), regarding penalties, provided:

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, an adult use consumer
who uses adult use cannabis in public areas, or who violates division
(D)(2) of section [former] 3780.36 of the Revised Code as a passenger,
is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

(Emphasis added.) Thus, it appears that only smoking marijuana in a vehicle as a

passenger constituted a minor misdemeanor under the former statute. There was

no penalty set forth for a driver smoking marijuana in a vehicle.2 Former

R.C. 3780.36(D)(2) provides that an individual smoking marijuana is subject to R.C.

4511.19 for any violation of the division, but this statute deals solely with the

operation of a vehicle while intoxicated — not simply being in a vehicle while

smoking marijuana. There is no provision in R.C. 4511.19 that would apply to an

individual smoking marijuana in a vehicle without also being under the influence

while operating the vehicle.

2 We have recognized that a passenger is not the operator of a vehicle. See State
v. Schultz, 2008-Ohio-4448, ¶ 30, fn. 6 (8th Dist.) (noting the General Assembly’s
definition of “operate” to require that a person cause movement of a vehicle and stating,
“[A]n impaired passenger cannot be convicted of a physical control violation because he
is not in the driver’s seat. See R.C. 4511.194(A)(2).”).
“In Ohio, all criminal offenses are statutory, and the elements

necessary to constitute a crime must be gathered wholly from the statute.” State v.

Ford, 2011-Ohio-765, ¶ 10, citing State v. Draggo, 65 Ohio St.2d 88, 91 (1981).

“R.C. 2901.03 says that if conduct is not statutorily defined as an
offense, that conduct cannot constitute a criminal offense.
R.C. 2901.03(A) * * * ‘[U]nder R.C. 2901.03(B), a criminal offense is
not defined unless “one or more sections of the Revised Code state a
positive prohibition or enjoin a specific duty, and provide a penalty for
violation of such prohibition or failure to meet such duty.”’ State ex rel
Quality Stamping Prods. v. Ohio Bur. of Workers’ Comp. (1998), 84
Ohio St.3d 259, 264, 703 N.E.2d 309, quoting R.C. 2901.03(B).

The touchstone of statutory construction is the intent of the legislature.
See State v. Jordan (2000), 89 Ohio St.3d 488, 491, 2000 [-]Ohio[-
]225, 733 N.E.2d 601 * * * Intent is determined by giving effect to the
words used by the legislature in the statute, not adding or deleting
words. Jordan at 492, 733 N.E.2d 601 (saying that a court must “give
effect to the words used [in a statute], not * * * delete words used or
* * * insert words not used” [citations omitted and emphasis sic]).
‘[P]lain language requires no additional statutory interpretation.’ State
ex rel. Carnail v. McCormick, 126 Ohio St.3d 124, 2010 [-]Ohio[-]2671,
931 N.E.2d 110, at ¶ 30; see also Jordan at 492, 733 N.E.2d 601 (“If the
meaning of the statute is unambiguous and definite, it must be applied
as written and no further interpretation is necessary” [citation
omitted]).”

(Emphasis in original.) State v. Knox, 2012-Ohio-3821, ¶ 15 (8th Dist.), quoting

State v. Chessman, 2010-Ohio-3239, ¶ 9-11 (2d Dist.).

There was much discussion at the suppression hearing as to what

violation the officer had suspected Lewis of committing. Sgt. Petrie testified that it

was illegal to have burnt marijuana in a vehicle; the State maintains that Lewis

violated former R.C. 3780.36(D)(2) by smoking marijuana in his vehicle. A police

officer does not need probable cause to believe that a vehicle would contain evidence
of a specific offense; it is sufficient that the officer had probable cause to believe that

the vehicle would contain evidence of a criminal offense. State v. Hayward, 2018-

Ohio-1070, ¶ 29 (10th Dist.), citing Dixon v. Maxwell, 177 Ohio St. 20, 21 (1964).

The Twelfth District has noted:

Probable cause exists when the officer has sufficient information,
derived from his own knowledge or a trustworthy source, which would
lead a prudent person to believe the accused committed a criminal
offense. State v. Cearley, Butler App. No. CA2003-08-213, 2004[-]
Ohio[-]4837, ¶ 8. In turn, “knowledge of the precise crime committed
is not necessary to a finding of probable cause provided that probable
cause exists showing that a crime was committed.” United States v.
Anderson (C.A.6, 1991), 923 F.2d 450, 457. In fact, whether the
accused actually committed a crime is not pertinent to a probable cause
determination. Barnes [v. Meijer Dept. Store, 2004-Ohio-1716,] ¶ 13
[(12th Dist.)].

Frazier v. Clinton Cty. Sheriff's Office, 2008-Ohio-6064, ¶ 15 (12th Dist.).

Here, Sgt. Petrie believed that probable cause existed that Lewis had

committed a criminal offense. While the State maintains that smoking marijuana

in a vehicle is a criminal offense, under the law at the time of the violation, it does

not appear that this prohibition applied to anyone but a passenger in a vehicle.

Because Lewis was the operator of the vehicle, and there was no testimony that he

was a passenger when he was smoking in the vehicle, there was no statutory penalty

and thus no criminal offense.3

3 As of the date of this decision, the consumption of adult-use marijuana is now

restricted to privately owned real property. Further, any open container of marijuana
product or marijuana paraphernalia in a motor vehicle must be stored in the trunk of the
vehicle; if there is no trunk, it may be behind the last upright seat of the vehicle or in an
area not normally occupied by the driver. See R.C. Ch. 3796.
The trial court correctly determined, albeit for different reasons, that

there was no probable cause showing that a crime had been committed, and the

search of Lewis’s vehicle was improper.4 The State’s sole assignment of error is

overruled, and the judgment of the trial court granting Lewis’s motion to suppress

is affirmed.

It is ordered that appellee recover from appellant costs herein taxed.

The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.

It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the

common pleas court to carry this judgment into execution.

A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27

of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

EILEEN T. GALLAGHER, PRESIDING JUDGE

MICHAEL JOHN RYAN, J., and
KATHLEEN ANN KEOUGH, J., CONCUR

4 This court recently decided an analogous case, State v. Tucker, 2026-Ohio-1045

(8th Dist.). In each case, the panel considered the unique facts and circumstances and
applied the statutory law that was in place at the time of the violation.