Note: This article was written and published prior to the passage of Prop 207, which legalized recreational marijuana use/possession in the State of Arizona. Driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal. However, other factors can influence your case and you should contact a criminal defense attorney for more information.
In November 2016, Arizona voters voiced concerns about the potential increase in DUIs from the legalization of recreational marijuana. As a result, the vote favored against the legalization of the substance. However, the state still has many qualifying patients under the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (AMMA).
DUI Charges for Marijuana
In Arizona, it is illegal for a person to operate a vehicle under the influence of any drug including alcohol. Additionally, it is also illegal to drive while there is any drug or its metabolite in your body. However, a medical use patient is not under the influence solely for having marijuana metabolites in their system.
However, a medical marijuana cardholder is still vulnerable to DUI charges, although they can raise an affirmative defense. According to the courts, legal patients can establish a defense by proving they were using AMMA-authorized marijuana for medical purposes. Furthermore, they must prove that the metabolite in their system was not a high enough concentration to impair their driving.
Marijuana DUI Penalties
If the state of Arizona charged you with driving under the influence of marijuana, it is important to not go to court alone. These cases can be very difficult due to the complexities of the law. If you are found guilty the consequences can stay with you for years.
• A first-time misdemeanor drug DUI exposes a person to 10-day jail terms, suspension of driver’s license, fines, assessments, and fees of $1,250.00, substance abuse screening and testing, probation, and other penalties the judge deems necessary.
• A second DUI within 7 years calls for increased penalties of jail terms to 90 days, fines, fees, assessments to $3,000.00, and driver’s license revocation for 1 year.
• A third DUI within 7 years will elevate a misdemeanor DUI to a felony DUI. Punishments for felony DUI expose a person to 4 months in prison, and fines of up to $4,000.00.
• A fourth DUI in 7 years calls for 8-month prison terms, and fines of up to $4,000.00.