Department of Motor Vehicles

Matt Vaughn 

Matt Vaughn of the Medical Marijuana Caregivers Association of El Dorado County was pulled over by CHP on June 5, 2005 in Glenn County. Ignoring his status as a patient, the CHP confiscated Vaughn’s pipe and 36 grams of his medicine, and charged him with possession. Despite the fact that his case was dismissed by Glenn County Superior Court on November 9, 2005, the DMV revoked his license, citing his supposed habitual drug use and claiming that he was unable to safely operate a vehicle. On January 27, 2006, ASA filed a Writ of Mandamus in El Dorado Superior Court, appealing the license revocation by the DMV.

On June 1, 2006, the DMV set aside the suspension of Vaughn's driver's license, nullifying the initial suspension and restoring Vaughn's right to drive.

• ASA Writ of Mandamus challenging revocation by DMV of Vaughn's license (filed 1/27/06)

Amanda Whittemore 

The DMV is another entity that has been found to unfairly discriminate against patients, and ASA is taking a pro-active stance to counter this practice. Amanda Whittemore is a Sacramento patient who, after a routine traffic stop, was referred to the DMV by the police officer that stopped her. She was quickly notified of a requirement to retake her driving test due to "drug addiction," though no evidence of addiction existed. After agreeing to take her driving test again, the DMV failed her and revoked her license. ASA appealed the revocation, taking the DMV to task for its arbitrary and capricious action against Amanda and other medical marijuana patients. In January 2006, Amanda's license was reinstated as a result of the appeal.

• Whittemore letter to the DMV appealing the requirement to retest due to an assumption of "drug addiction" based on patient status (filed 4/7/05)
• Whittemore letter to the DMV requesting comprehensive discovery (filed 8/17/05)