Pubdate: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 Source: Washington Times (DC) Copyright: 2014 The Washington Times, LLC. Contact: http://www.washingtontimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/492 Page: A6 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving) HIGH COURT SAYS MEDICAL POT NOT PROSECUTABLE UNDER DUI LAW PHOENIX - Authorities can't prosecute Arizona motorists for driving under the influence of marijuana unless the person is impaired at the time of the stop, the state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday. The ruling overturned a state Court of Appeals decision last year that upheld the right of authorities to prosecute pot smokers for DUI even when there is no evidence of impairment. The opinion focuses on two chemical compounds in marijuana that show up in blood and urine tests - one causes impairment, the other doesn't but stays in a user's system for weeks. Some prosecutors had warned that anyone in Arizona who used medical marijuana simply shouldn't drive or they would risk facing DUI charges. Tuesday's state Supreme Court opinion removed that threat in explaining that while state statute makes it illegal for a driver to be impaired by marijuana, the presence of a non-psychoactive compound does not constitute impairment under the law. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom