Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Act No Defense to DUI Charge

A medical marijuana user’s attempt to escape conviction for driving under the influence failed, as a state appeals court determined that Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Act doesn’t provide an affirmative defense to the charge.

The MMA legalizes the possession and use of marijuana under certain circumstances, but it doesn’t specifically permit medical users to drive with the substance in their systems, the Pennsylvania Superior Court said in an unpublished decision Tuesday.

A Pennsylvania state trooper pulled over a car driven by Traa Alan Wagner. He immediately smelled marijuana, observed that Wagner’s eyes were bloodshot, and that Wagner “was very relaxed” for ...