Missouri Marijuana Grower Loses ‘Knock and Talk’ Search Appeal

A Missouri man convicted of conspiracy to grow marijuana lost his Fourth Amendment challenge to the police’s entry onto his property, a federal appeals court ruled June 28.

Two police officers came upon Charles White’s rural property while attempting to locate an address for an unrelated criminal investigation. As they got out of their car to talk to him, they noticed the smell of marijuana. They returned later that day with drug task force officers, and again noticed a strong smell of marijuana.

Nobody answered when they knocked, but the officers met another man, who said he was White’s tenant ...