DOES MARIJUANA IMPAIR DRIVING?

Court Rules Medical Marijuana Law Cannot Be Applied Retroactively to
2008 Fatal Crash Case

BARRY COUNTY -- The state's medical marijuana law, which calls into
doubt the drug's status as having no medical benefits, cannot be
applied retroactively to dismiss a criminal charge against Justin
Malik, who struck and killed off-duty sheriff's deputy Christopher
Yonkers in 2008.

A state appeals court ruled this week that an offense alleging Malik,
26, was driving under the influence of marijuana and alcohol must be
reinstated for him to stand trial. 17 0 6Share

Barry County Circuit Judge James Fisher had dismissed the allegation,
which carries a potential for 15 years in prison and a statutory
minimum of 29 months.

"Of course, legally, I'm satisfied with the court's opinion,"
Prosecutor Tom Evans said Wednesday. "The jury will have to make the
distinction of the role the marijuana played in the crash, but I think
it's an important matter to look at."

Malik admitted smoking marijuana in the hours before the 9:50 p.m.
Oct. 17 collision between his vehicle and Yonkers' motorcycle on M-43.
The suspect also acknowledged drinking three beers, although a
blood-alcohol test showed a 0.01 result, well below the state's 0.08
standard for intoxication.

A blood test showed Malik had active THC -- the narcotic in marijuana
- -- in his system as well as the derivative substance.

Authorities smelled alcohol on Malik but did not otherwise notice
signs of intoxication, according to reports. Doctors also said during
a probable cause hearing that they could not reach a conclusion if THC
caused an impairment.

Malik's attorney, Jeffrey Kortes, said they'll review the decision and
determine whether to appeal to the state Supreme Court. They had
argued the voter-approved marijuana initiative, passed after the date
of the crash, invalidated the drug's classification.

"I think they made an incorrect ruling, and I don't see that this puts
us any closer to trying the case because there are bridges still to
cross," Kortes said. "It's disappointing."

The three-judge appellate panel ruled that prosecutors can use
evidence of the active THC but are barred from presenting information
about the residual presence that could be inferred to have affected
Malik at the time of the crash.

Yonkers' death spurred controversy after authorities initially said he
had been off-duty before changing that claim to say he could have been
working undercover since he was part of a drug investigation unit. It
was later determined that he was on a personal ride.

A crash reconstruction showed Malik's turn near Usborne Road was
"normal," and that Yonkers' motorcycle came upon the vehicle very quickly.

In addition to the intoxication allegation, Malik faces charges of
driving with a suspended license causing death and negligent homicide.