NRS453A.400. Possession of registry identification card not permissible grounds for search or inspection; care and return of seized property; determination that person is engaged or assisting in medical use of marijuana in accordance with provisions of chapter. [Effective through March 31, 2014.]

      1.  The fact that a person possesses a registry identification card issued to the person by the Division or its designee pursuant to NRS 453A.220 or 453A.250 does not, alone:

      (a) Constitute probable cause to search the person or the person’s property; or

      (b) Subject the person or the person’s property to inspection by any governmental agency.

      2.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, if officers of a state or local law enforcement agency seize marijuana, drug paraphernalia or other related property from a person engaged or assisting in the medical use of marijuana:

      (a) The law enforcement agency shall ensure that the marijuana, drug paraphernalia or other related property is not destroyed while in the possession of the law enforcement agency.

      (b) Any property interest of the person from whom the marijuana, drug paraphernalia or other related property was seized must not be forfeited pursuant to any provision of law providing for the forfeiture of property, except as part of a sentence imposed after conviction of a criminal offense.

      (c) Upon a determination by the district attorney of the county in which the marijuana, drug paraphernalia or other related property was seized, or the district attorney’s designee, that the person from whom the marijuana, drug paraphernalia or other related property was seized is engaging in or assisting in the medical use of marijuana in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, the law enforcement agency shall immediately return to that person any usable marijuana, marijuana plants, drug paraphernalia or other related property that was seized.

Ê The provisions of this subsection do not require a law enforcement agency to care for live marijuana plants.

      3.  For the purposes of paragraph (c) of subsection 2, the determination of a district attorney or the district attorney’s designee that a person is engaging in or assisting in the medical use of marijuana in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to be evidenced by:

      (a) A decision not to prosecute;

      (b) The dismissal of charges; or

      (c) Acquittal.

      (Added to NRS by 2001, 3062; A 2009, 625)