Article Figures & Data
Tables
Court Policy Toward Cannabis Use Sample Court Rules for Participants Sample Court Responses to Cannabis Use Abstinence-based approach Do not use or possess any drugs or alcohol … do not even think about applying for a [medical cannabis] card.65 Take corrective actions. As a participant in the Adult Drug Treatment Court, you are agreeing not to use alcohol and other drugs … defendants with certificates for medical [cannabis] are not eligible for admission. A participant who obtains a certificate will be dismissed from the Court.67 Corrective actions may include verbal warnings, increased court visit frequency, stricter drug test scheduling, delays of program graduation, brief stays in detention, or referral back to traditional criminal court. Tolerance-based approach This court does not encourage cannabis use given its health risks and illegal status under federal law; however, we do not take punitive actions against participants in our court for using cannabis.* Do not take corrective actions. This court does not monitor participants for cannabis use.* Potentially educate participant about the health effects of cannabis use. Adaptive approach As a participant in Drug Court, you are agreeing to not use alcohol, illegal drugs, or unauthorized medication. This includes medical [cannabis] unless authorized by the court.90 Tailor response to individual participant's needs. Use of prescribed medical [cannabis] is presumptively prohibited and shall be reviewed by the Court on a case by case basis.92 Consider whether participant has valid medical indication for cannabis use. Evaluate whether cannabis use appears to be harmful or helpful for the participant. ↵* Proposed, rather than actual, examples of court rules for participants.
