Frequently Asked Questions

The Arizona Department of Health website is a great resource for information on medical marijuana. You can find their FAQ section here.

Here are some other frequently asked questions not covered on the Arizona Department of Health website.

What if an applicant tests positive in a pre-employment drug test?

You cannot refuse to hire the applicant automatically. Employers cannot discriminate against applicants for medical marijuana use if the applicant is a registered cardholder. Determine whether the applicant is a registered cardholder. If he is, then the employer cannot base the hiring decision on the applicant’s medical marijuana use outside of work. If marijuana use outside of work poses a safety risk, you may be able to refuse to hire the applicant. In addition, an employer who would lose a federal license by employing a marijuana user is not required to employ him. This analysis is complex and it is recommended that you seek legal advice in this situation.

What if a current employee tests positive for marijuana on a
drug test?

You cannot automatically terminate the employee. Determine if he is a registered cardholder. If he is a registered cardholder, and was not using marijuana at the workplace and was not impaired on the job, then the employer may not terminate, discipline or discriminate against the employee. Marijuana will be treated like any other lawfully prescribed drug that may impair an employee’s functioning at work.

What other restrictions apply to the use or possession of medical marijuana?

The law does not allow a cardholder to smoke marijuana in any public place (including public transportation) or to possess marijuana on a school bus, preschool or primary or secondary school or in any correctional facility. The law also does not change existing laws that prohibit the operation, navigation or being in actual physical control or any motor vehicle, aircraft or motorboat while under the influence of marijuana.

Could patients purchase an unlimited amount of marijuana?

No. All patients in the state would be entered into a networked database to which all dispensaries would be linked. To purchase marijuana at any dispensary, a patient would have to provide a personalized ID card from the state. By linking sales to the patient’s ID card, it will be possible to enforce the provision prohibiting patients from acquiring more than 2.5 ounces of marijuana collectively in any two-week period.

Does medical marijuana have to be smoked?

Medical marijuana is no doubt healthier for you than many of the prescription pills on the market today. Many people however do not like the idea of smoking anything to take away their pain, or help them feel better.

This brings the question, does medical marijuana have to be smoked, or are there other ways to use marijuana as medicine, without the stigma that comes with smoking? The truth is, there are many ways to use medical marijuana without smoking it, and some of these methods of using marijuana as medicine – don’t even get you “high”!

Many people still prefer smoking medical marijuana over other methods, for various reasons. The main reason many medical marijuana users like to smoke their medicine is, it is the fasted acting method of use. When you smoke marijuana, the cannabinoids (compounds that contain the medical properties) are absorbed by the lungs and into the bloodstream. The results are felt almost instantaneous. Also, when smoking marijuana for medical use, it is easy to regulate dose. For example, you first wake up and are in pain. In many cases, a few puffs from a joint (rolled marijuana cigarette), or pipe is enough to get you up and moving, without making you too “medicated” or “high” feeling. Other times, like before bed, may require a patient to use more. In this case they just take a few extra puffs, and get a little more of the “effect”.

Other methods of using medical marijuana include:

• Using a Vaporizer
• Medicated Marijuana Capsules
• Medical Marijuana Edibles
• Marijuana Infused Oils
• Medicated Topical Balms/Rubs
• Marijuana Tictures