"Kansas Highway Patrol's Controversial Vehicle Search Method Deemed Unconstitutional for Marijuana Cases"

A federal judge has ruled that the Kansas Highway Patrol's "two-step" technique, used to search vehicles for marijuana, is unconstitutional and violates individuals' Fourth Amendment rights. The technique involved officers ending a routine traffic stop, returning to their cruiser, and then turning around to initiate a separate effort to search the vehicle for marijuana. The Kansas Highway Patrol has been accused of targeting out-of-state drivers, particularly from Colorado and Missouri where marijuana is legal, resulting in successful drug seizures and charges. The court ruling comes after a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and individuals who felt exploited and intimidated by the patrol's tactics. The judge's decision highlights the importance of protecting constitutional rights and condemns the "cowboy mentality of policing."