Edibles are cannabis-infused food products that provide the effects of marijuana without smoking. As more states legalize recreational and medical marijuana, the popularity of edibles has grown significantly. Many people prefer edibles over smoking for the convenience, precise dosing, and lack of lung irritation. However, this rise in edibles has led to an increase in people wanting to ship them through the mail. This raises the important question – can dogs smell edibles that are sealed and shipped?
Can drug dogs smell edibles?
Drug dogs are trained to detect various illegal substances using their powerful sense of smell. When it comes to edibles, drug dogs can definitely smell the marijuana odor if the edibles are not properly sealed or masked.
Some key points on drug dogs detecting edibles:
- Drug dogs are trained to pick up the distinctive scent of marijuana. The psychoactive compounds in cannabis have a strong, pungent odor that dogs can detect even in tiny concentrations.
- Well-trained drug dogs can sniff out raw marijuana, concentrates, and infused edibles. The dog will alert to the smell of weed regardless of whether it’s in plant, oil, or food form.
- Edibles that are properly sealed in a smell-proof container have a better chance of evading detection. But if the smell is leaking out, dogs will pick up on it.
- Attempting to mask the odor with other smells may not fool dogs. Their sensitive noses can pick out all kinds of overlapping scents.
- The potency of the edible also matters. More powerful, concentrated edibles typically have a stronger smell that’s harder to contain.
So in summary, a trained drug dog will very likely detect edibles in the mail if they can get even a slight whiff of the marijuana odor seeping out. Smell-proof packaging is essential.
Factors that determine if dogs can smell edibles
There are a few key factors that determine whether or not a drug dog is able to smell edibles concealed in a package:
Type of packaging
The type of packaging used to contain the edibles makes a huge difference. Airtight, scent-proof packaging like heat sealed bags or plastic containers work best to contain odor. Zip lock bags, paper envelopes, or boxes allow more smell to escape and be detected. Vacuum sealing edibles can remove extra air and help trap smells.
Type of edible
Edibles that are exposed versus sealed also vary in odor potency. For example, an open bag of marijuana cookies or brownies will be easier to smell than a sealed, packaged candy or chocolates. Oily edibles with cannabis butter or oil tend to be more aromatic as well.
Potency of edibles
Higher potency edibles like candies, drinks, or baked goods infused with concentrates give off a stronger scent profile. Weak smelling low-dose edibles are less likely to be picked up by dogs. However, dogs can detect even faint traces of odor, so caution is still needed.
Density of product
The density and volume of the edibles affects smell as well. Larger quantities of edibles take up more space and tend to leak more odor molecules. Small amounts of low-odor products bundled tightly have less air circulation.
Moisture content
Edibles with higher moisture content like fresh baked goods are more difficult to properly seal and contain. Dried, dehydrated foods with lower moisture are easier to package without smell leakage.
So in summary, for the best chance at evading detection, edibles should be packaged discretely in tightly sealed, smell-proof containers. Lower potency and smaller quantities of edibles also help minimize odor. But there are never any guarantees with the keen noses of drug dogs.
What types of dogs detect drugs?
There are a few main breeds and types of dogs commonly used to detect illicit drugs like marijuana edibles:
Labrador Retrievers
Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds used as drug sniffing dogs. Their energetic, friendly nature combined with their incredible sense of smell make them very well suited for drug detection work.
German Shepherds
German Shepherds are also frequently employed as police and drug dogs. They are intelligent, obedient, and have strong protective instincts. Their heightened olfactory senses allow them to pick out subtle scents.
Beagles
Beagles have an excellent nose and make good drug dogs thanks to their determined, curious, and active temperament. Their relatively small size also suits sniffing in tight spaces.
Bloodhounds
Bloodhounds are famous for their sense of smell and tracking abilities. While not as common for drug detection, they can also be trained to identify marijuana, heroin, or other narcotics.
Labrador/hound crosses
Crosses between labradors, beagles, bloodhounds and other scent hounds combine positive traits from both breeds. These mixed breeds have very keen noses perfect for drug sniffing purposes.
The most important requirements for a drug dog are a strong work ethic, high drive, intelligence, and an exceptional sense of smell. Careful breeding, training, and handling ensures dogs can properly detect contraband like edibles.
Techniques dogs use to pinpoint smells
Dogs have around 50 times more scent receptors than humans, making their sense of smell 1,000 to 10,000 times more powerful. Here are some techniques dogs use to zero in on specific scents like marijuana edibles:
Nose structure
Within a dog’s wet nose are complex folds and ridges that help absorb and trap scent particles. Their elongated snout and nostrils can draw in aromas from up to 270 degrees around them.
Powerful sniffing
Dogs use fast inhalations (sniffing) to draw smells into areas of their nose where different scents can be analyzed. Forceful sniffing allows them to pick out the different notes in marijuana edibles.
Jacobson’s organ
An extra olfactory sense organ called the Jacobson’s organ allows dogs to detect pheromones and tastes in the air when sniffed. This aids in following marijuana scents.
Tracking scent patterns
When following a scent trail, dogs use differences in odor concentration and molecules in the air to find the source, such as a concealed edible.
Keen memory
Once dogs learn a specific scent, they can recall it for years. This allows them to quickly recognize familiar smells like different cannabis strains.
A dog’s nose, sniffing methods, and scent memory give them remarkable odor detecting skills. They use these talents to pinpoint the smell of edibles, even when hidden.
Tips for concealing edibles from drug dogs
While it’s impossible to fully guarantee edibles will be undetectable by drug dogs, there are some useful tips to reduce the chances:
- Use several layers of airtight, smell-proof packaging like vacuum sealing bags or thick mylar.
- Wrap edibles in odor absorbing sheets like carbon paper before sealing.
- Mask smells by sealing with other pungent foods like ground coffee beans or spices.
- Ship smaller quantities of low-potency edibles to reduce scent profile.
- Clean the outer packaging thoroughly to remove stray traces of smell.
- Ship from a larger commercial mail center versus a small local post office.
- Avoid inspections by not requiring customer signatures on delivery.
However, there are never any foolproof ways to sneak edibles past drug dogs’ excellent sniffers. The only guaranteed way is to abstain from shipping illegal substances through the mail altogether. But following careful packaging and shipping protocols can help reduce some risk.
Cases of dogs catching edibles in the mail
Here are some real-world examples of drug dogs managing to sniff out edibles hidden in mail packages:
California, 2019
Police dogs in a San Francisco mail center detected a box containing over 60 pounds of marijuana edibles, including candies, chocolates, and treats. It was shipped from Las Vegas to Maine.
Florida, 2020
A drug dog alerted officers to a package at a Florida mail distribution center that contained THC-infused candy sprayed with THC oil. It was en route from California to Wisconsin.
Oregon, 2021
US Postal Inspectors seized two boxes with hundreds of THC edible candies. A drug dog detected it at the processing facility before it could be shipped out of state from Oregon.
New York, 2022
A 38 year old man’s package was searched by customs agents and found to contain over 7,000 cannabis-infused candies. A drug sniffing dog detected the faint scent of marijuana.
These examples demonstrate that properly trained police dogs can and will sniff out even cleverly concealed edibles in packages. Sending edibles through the mail illegally is risky.
Consequences of getting caught mailing edibles
There can be serious criminal consequences for trying to ship marijuana edibles undetected:
- Intent to distribute charges for sending large quantities of edibles.
- Marijuana possession charges depending on state laws.
- Trafficking charges for transporting cannabis products across state lines.
- Charges for using US mail to transport controlled substances.
- Penalties from the US Postal Inspection Service.
- Seizure of the edible contraband and all assets/money related to it.
- Longer detention and inspection next time at customs.
- Placement on federal drug offender watch lists.
The specific penalties depend on the amount mailed, number of occurrences, and jurisdiction. But all states prohibit mailing of controlled substances via US Mail. Getting caught shipping edibles carries stiff legal consequences.
Conclusion
In summary, properly trained drug dogs can absolutely smell edibles concealed in packages if odor escapes the wrapping. Their incredibly sensitive noses detect even faint traces of marijuana. Scent-proof packaging helps prevent odors leaking out. Small amounts of low potency edibles wrapped thoroughly in smell-tight bags, containers and sealants also helps evade canine detection. But there are no foolproof ways to outsmart their nose. Getting caught mailing edibles can lead to serious trafficking charges with legal penalties. While continuing to advance, current packaging methods still pose risks when sending edibles through the mail illegally.