Reputation.Resources.Results
Medical Marijuana Users Still Presumptively Impaired to Drive
In a unanimous decision, Dobson et. al. v. McClennen (CV-14-0313-PR) issued Friday Nov. 20th, the Arizona Supreme Court (Bales, J.), held that persons driving after legally smoking medical marijuana are nevertheless “presumed to be under the influence” under Arizona law. However, when charged with DUI, medical marijuana drivers may present a “limited defense” to prove that the level of marijuana in the driver’s blood is an “insufficient concentration to cause impairment.” Dobson, supra at ¶23.
RELATED CONTENT
Arizona DUI Law Update: Marijuana
Since the passage of the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act, we have seen a sharp increase in DUI arrests. This article will clarify the current state of Arizona DUI-marijuana laws.
Arizona DUI Law Update: Marijuana
Implicit in this decision is the recognition of the wild popularity and easy availability of “medical” marijuana cards in Arizona, and their footing as a substitute for physician-prescribed medicine. Emphasizing that the easily-obtained “written certifications” to use medical marijuana are not the same as medical “prescriptions,” the Court underscored that those issuing popular medical marijuana certifications are in a different class of “medical providers” than physicians, dentists, or even “podiatrists.” Those driving are not “immune” to DUI, as a statute had seemed to suggest, but rather, when arrested, now have the legal burden of proving in court “by a preponderance of evidence” that the amount in their systems was too little to be impairing. Thus, in a tale of two licenses, the AZ Supreme Court has held decisively that a license to smoke is not a license to drive.
Recommended Articles
Jurisdictions all over the country are faced with cases of individuals using or threatening to use Covid-19 as a “weapon” to harm others.
Proposed reforms to Arizona’s asset forfeiture rules failed this year, despite strong support. State data shows that forfeitures fall heaviest on people who cannot afford an attorney.
The Paycheck Protection Program is supposed to protect small businesses unless, that is, the person has a felony conviction.
Most criminal matters in Tucson are temporarily continued, at least for the next few weeks, as we explain below. A couple things to keep in mind.
It is unknown whether any Arizona law enforcement agencies are using the new facial recognition technology sold by a company called Clearview AI.
About Michael Harwin
Michael’s skill and experience have been recognized repeatedly. He holds an A-V 5/5 preeminent rating by Martindale Hubbell. He has been named one of the top lawyers in Arizona by Southwest Superlawyers, and one of the best lawyers in Tucson by Tucson Lifestyle Magazine. He also has been named one of the best lawyers in the United States by BestofUS.com , and given the highest rating possible by AVVO, 10/10 Superb.
Amazon Books