A:
Unfortunately, a medical marijuana card does not prevent you from being charged with DUI. Arizona charges Drug DUIs two ways. First, there is Arizona Revised Statute Section 28-1381(A)(3), which makes it a crime for a person to drive while there is any drug or its metabolite in the person's body. However, if the drug is validly prescribed, you cannot be charged under Section 28-1381(A)(3). Arizona also makes it a crime for you to drive while impaired by a drug, even if that drug has been validly prescribed to you. This is how prosecutors bring charges against a person even if they have a medical marijuana card. Unlike alcohol, the medical community has not determined a level of THC at which everyone is impaired. This is why having a medical marijuana card is important. If you have a medical marijuana card, the prosecutors must prove you were impaired. Since there is no level at which the prosecution experts can say a person is impaired, the prosecution's case is much harder. If you’re going to use marijuana and drive, get a medical marijuana card!