Can You Get an Arizona Medical Marijuana Card While on Probation?

If you’re on probation or parole and you live in Arizona, you may be eligible for a medical marijuana card. Arizona’s medical marijuana program has been in effect since 2010, and it remains strong even in light of recreational legalization. Part of the reason why the program remains essential is that it provides some degree of legal protection to individuals with a medical need who would otherwise be barred from consuming cannabis—such as recent parolees.

Can You Get an AZ Medical Card While on Probation?

If you’re on probation or you recently made parole, you may legally obtain and maintain a medical marijuana card in Arizona. The Arizona Supreme Court ruled in two separate cases that prosecutors cannot prohibit medical marijuana consumption as a condition of parole or probation. The state defines medical marijuana as a form of medication, and patients are free to consume it just as they would any other prescribed medicine.

There are some legal caveats, though, that patients should be aware of. For example, if you’re suspected of DUI, the mere presence of THC in your system may trigger a positive test result. THC metabolites can remain in the bloodstream for weeks after use, and so testing positive at a traffic stop does not automatically mean that you’re driving while impaired. But law enforcement may still treat it as a DUI.

With that in mind, patients must be diligent about driving sober and eliminating any type of probable cause that might lead law enforcement to impose a chemical test. A DUI will almost always trigger a parole or probation violation.

In addition, medical marijuana patients must follow all applicable laws. If you exceed your possession limit, attempt to sell cannabis, or commit any other marijuana-related offense, you will be in violation of your probation.

It’s important to note that any Arizona parolee or probationer can obtain a medical marijuana card—so long as you have a qualifying condition. It doesn’t matter if you were convicted of a felony or misdemeanor. If a certified physician determines that you have a medical need for cannabis, you are eligible for the program.

Why Should You Get an AZ Medical Marijuana Card While on Probation?

If you require cannabis to treat a medical condition while on probation or parole, it’s essential that you get certified. Your probation officer may stipulate that you avoid all drugs—including marijuana—as a condition of your probation. Under Arizona law, this stipulation may only apply to recreational marijuana; medicinal users are protected.

In this regard, Arizona patients have an advantage over patients in other states. In many states, like neighboring Nevada, parolees and probationers must obtain the permission of their overseeing officer before obtaining a medical marijuana card.

If you do require medical marijuana in Arizona, it’s important to be transparent with your probation officer and ensure that they’re aware of your condition and patient status from the beginning. They can’t deny you your medication, but you may avoid unwanted disputes and entanglements down the road.

And there are other general benefits to getting certified as well: you pay less for cannabis (in the form of significantly lower taxes), you have access to a wider array of medical-grade products, and you enjoy higher possession limits, just to name a few examples.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Arizona

If you have a qualifying condition like chronic pain, seizures, cancer, HIV/AIDS, PTSD, or ALS, getting certified is easy. The first step is to connect with qualified Arizona medical marijuana doctors, either in person or via telemedicine. They can assess your eligibility for the program and provide you with a written certification. The next step is to register as a patient with the Arizona Department of Health Services. Medical marijuana cards must be renewed every 2 years.

Don’t let your past prevent you from getting the treatment you need. Arizona’s medical marijuana program is open to all adults with a qualifying condition, and the certification process is very straightforward. Get certified today, and ensure that your bases are covered as you strive to meet the terms of your probation.