Cannabis transportation drivers—operating a licensed, compliant fleet—may sometimes find themselves pulled over by law enforcement. Understanding the correct procedures and your legal obligations is essential to maintaining compliance, ensuring safety, and protecting your operation.
Documentation and Manifest Inspection
At every moment, drivers of licensed cannabis transport carry a manifest detailing origin, destination, amounts, and product types. Nevada regulations require transport manifests generated via a state-approved seed-to-sale system. The driver must also have:
- Valid commercial driver’s license and company credentials
- Vehicle registration and insurance
- Lockbox keys or secured cargo documentation
Upon being stopped, officers will likely ask to see these. Promptly providing them demonstrates compliance and fosters trust.
Vehicle & Cargo Verification
Under state rules (e.g., Nevada), transport vehicles must be unmarked externally, contain a locked cargo compartment inaccessible from the passenger cabin, and conceal the contents. If correctly configured, the officer shouldn’t see inside. However, they can verify the locked compartment and check for manifest accuracy.
Interaction with Law Enforcement
Maintain a courteous, factual tone:
- Inform officers you’re transporting legal cannabis under state license and offer to produce manifests and credentials.
- Respectfully decline unwarranted searches beyond opening a locked compartment you control.
- If asked personal questions irrelevant to the transport, you may calmly state you’d prefer not to answer (“Am I being detained?” or “Am I free to go?”).
Reporting a “Stop”
Regulations require any “unauthorized stop” (i.e., detainment not scheduled or for manifest verification) to be reported to your compliance office and state board within a set timeframe—often within two hours. These logs are subject to audit.
State vs. Federal Considerations
While transporting cannabis within state borders is legal under state law, it remains illicit under federal law. Thus:
- Federal agents (DEA, DHS, FBI) could potentially seize product or vehicle—even if state permits are valid.
- Many states strive to reconcile by requiring internal reporting to avoid federal scrutiny, but carriers must take care in interstate or federally regulated conveyance (e.g., FedEx, USPS use is prohibited).
Driving Under Influence (DUI)
Cannabis transport drivers must never be impaired—and many states impose explicit THC blood limits (e.g., Nevada sets 2 ng/mL for THC). Drivers operating commercial vehicles who fail drug tests face severe penalties, including DOT violations.
Summary & Best Practices
To ensure full compliance and minimize risk during a law enforcement encounter, cannabis transportation drivers must be well-prepared in several key areas. They should always carry up-to-date manifests, proof of insurance, a valid commercial driver’s license, and company-issued credentials. Vehicles must be properly equipped with unmarked exteriors and locked, sealed cargo areas. During any stop, drivers should remain polite, transparent, and professional, presenting documents without resistance and clearly explaining their transport purpose. All unexpected stops, delays, or incidents must be promptly reported to the compliance team and state authorities. Finally, maintaining a compliance-driven culture that emphasizes safe driving practices, awareness of DUI laws, and training on how to handle interactions with law enforcement is crucial to protecting both the driver and the integrity of the cannabis supply chain.