Stay Informed

Sign up for news & alerts

Already signed up?
Login here

take action
For every $1 states spend dollar sign on substance misuse and addiction, 94 cents go to shovel up the consequences instead of for treatment and prevention. TELL YOUR LEGISLATORS

What Can I Do?



Continuing Education
Free online courses for addiction counselors LEARN ONLINE

Get Help
Need alcohol or drug help for yourself or someone else? GET HELP

 
California DMV Directs Staff to Treat Medical Marijuana Like Other Prescription Drugs
March 12, 2009

Share Share Email
Email
Print
Print
SubscribeSubscribe
News Summary

The driver's licenses of Californians who have prescriptions for medical marijuana should not be automatically revoked, according to state DMV officials.

The Associated Press reported March 4 that a new training memo from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) said that drivers with prescriptions for medical marijuana should be treated the same as if they had a prescription for any other drug.

An agency spokesperson said the memo puts practices already in place into writing. "There has been no change in DMV policy," said department spokesman Steve Haskins. "We do not automatically revoke the licenses of those who have a prescription for medical marijuana."

"I don't think the DMV can get away with saying the policy is not a change," replied Americans for Safe Access spokesperson Kris Hermes. "Clearly it has not been the case based on evidence from our experience." The organization sued the California DMV in November, saying the agency refused to renew a patient's license because she was using medical marijuana.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by stopthehate on 13 Mar 09 10:34 AM EDT
There are so many prescription drugs that have a much greater effect on driving ability than marijuana. Did DMV pull all their driver's licenses? Total hypocrisy. Intelligence and decency are finally back in our government.

Posted by Verde on 13 Mar 09 01:34 PM EDT
They should be able to because of the fact that marijuana is addictive and most of them are irrisponsible and feel that they drive better after smoking the drug. Most Marijuana users use first thing in the morning and 2 to three times a day which. The drug is frequently being smoked in vehicles they drive. I think if a cop finds it burning in the ashtray of their car their license should be suspended immediately. All drugs can be dangerous when mixed with driving. Driving is not a right, it is a priviledge. And it is a priviledge that should be afforded to sober people only! We don't hate you pot smokers, we just think a taxi or a bus is much safer transportation for you. Be the passenger, we don't need to add to the mileage/death rate just because you can't control your addiction. With love for all, Verde

Posted by stopthehate on 17 Mar 09 09:34 AM EDT
Wrong, Verde. You just made stuff up and stated it as fact (not very loving). Most marijuana smokers DO NOT use first thing in the morning, or frequently in vehicles as they drive. They are much more sober than the average driver who is on Rx drugs. There are no statistics to back up anything you said.

SUBMIT A COMMENT:

Note: Comments are now held for moderator approval. More info

Name:

Comment:
(limit 250
words)
Enter this word
(help):		 Change

GUIDELINES: 
Please keep comments on-topic, courteous, clean, non-commercial, and within the word limit.
Read the complete guidelines