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"...officers who smell marijuana and loudly knock on the door may break in if they hear sounds that suggest the residents are scurrying to hide the drugs."

I have no problem with this if they are truly attempting to thwart the hiding or destruction of evidence. My fear is that this might eventually morph into an excuse to invade the homes of people who happen to disagree with certain government policies. We may, by drips and drabs, find ourselves under the control of a government not unlike the government depicted in Orwell's novel, "1984."

“I have no problem with this if they are truly attempting to thwart the hiding or destruction of evidence. My fear is that this might eventually morph into an excuse to invade the homes of people who happen to disagree with certain government policies. We may, by drips and drabs, find ourselves under the control of a government not unlike the government depicted in Orwell’s novel, “1984.””

I agree. I see major opportunities for abuse. Asset forfeiture laws are similar. Who is against forfeiture of assets directly connected to a drug business? Unfortunately forfeiture laws have been applied to confiscate property without any connection to criminal activities. Former property owners have been forced to pay large amounts to retrieve their property. These laws have morphed into the ridiculous idea that inanimate objects can be guilty of crimes. Slippery slope alert.