Com. v. Murray, S. ( 2020 )

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
STEPHEN GARY MURRAY :
:
Appellant : No. 316 WDA 2020
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered February 21, 2020
In the Court of Common Pleas of Greene County Criminal Division at
No(s): CP-30-CR-0000012-2019
BEFORE: OLSON, J., MURRAY, J., and McCAFFERY, J.
MEMORANDUM BY OLSON, J.: FILED DECEMBER 31, 2020
Appellant, Stephen Gary Murray, appeals from the judgment of sentence
entered on February 21, 2020, following his bench trial convictions for driving
under the influence (DUI) of a controlled substance and possession of a small
amount of marijuana.1 We affirm.
In an order entered on December 20, 2019, the trial court set forth the
facts of this case as follows:
[On July 27, 2018, Appellant] was paid [to drive] a passenger in
his Kia Soul vehicle from the Pittsburgh area to [the State
Correctional Institution in Greene County (S.C.I. Greene)]. The
purpose of the transport was to permit [Appellant’s] passenger to
visit with a friend or loved one incarcerated at S.C.I. Greene[.
…Appellant] is approved by the State Department of
Transportation to transport people for [prison] visitation[.]
[Sergeant Joseph Burger], who is employed by the Pennsylvania
Department of Corrections as a K9 Officer[,] was on a specialized
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1 75 Pa.C.S.A. §3802(d)(1)(i) and 35 P.S. §780-113(a)(31)(i).
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detail on that day and was conducting a checkpoint with the
purpose of eradicating or slowing the flow of drugs, weapons, and
other contraband into the State Correctional Institute.
[Appellant’s] car was searched. Ultimately, a small amount of
marijuana was found in [Appellant’s] pocket[.] The []marijuana
was procured from an [unlicensed] source and [Appellant
admitted he] purchased that marijuana at a [Kentucky Fried
Chicken (KFC)] restaurant located near the State Prison[,] from
[an unlicensed source, and that he smoked the marijuana before
driving to SCI Greene].
[Appellant] has a medical marijuana identification card [which
was] admitted [in]to the record [at trial]. The [] medical
marijuana identification card permitted [Appellant] to use
marijuana under certain conditions and [] it was effective [] on
July 27, 2018.
As a result of [Appellant’s] possession of marijuana and
[subsequent performance on] field sobriety tests, [the
Commonwealth] charged [Appellant] with [possession of a small
amount of marijuana and] two separate counts of DUI[, the
aforementioned charge under Section 3802(d)(1)(i) (operating a
motor vehicle with a Schedule I controlled substance present in
an individual’s blood) (“DUI – controlled substance”), as well as,
driving under the influence of a drug or combination of drugs to a
degree which impairs an individual's ability to safely operate a
motor vehicle, pursuant to 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 3802(d)(2)2
(“DUI – general impairment/drugs”)].
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2 Section 3802(d) provides, in pertinent part:
(d) Controlled substances.--An individual may not drive,
operate or be in actual physical control of the movement of a
vehicle under any of the following circumstances:
(1) There is in the individual's blood any amount of a:
(i) Schedule I controlled substance, as defined in
the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L. 233, No. 64),
known as The Controlled Substance, Drug,
Device and Cosmetic Act;
***
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Trial Court Order, 12/20/2019, at *1-3 (unpaginated).
The trial court held a bench trial on December 18, 2019 and heard
testimony from Sergeant Burger, Appellant, and the arresting officer, Kevin
B. Kulka. The Commonwealth also presented the testimony of two forensic
scientists who opined that Appellant’s blood test revealed the presence of
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), an active element of marijuana, in Appellant’s
bloodstream that would have rendered Appellant impaired at the time of the
incident.
In an order, entered on December 20, 2019, the trial court made the
aforementioned factual findings, but reserved judgment regarding the offense
of DUI - controlled substance under Section 3802(d)(1)(i) pending additional
argument on an issue raised by Appellant. Appellant ultimately argued that,
pursuant to Section 3802(d)(1)(i), the Commonwealth needed to prove that
Appellant had a Schedule I controlled substance in his bloodstream to support
a conviction for DUI – controlled substance. While marijuana is listed as a
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(2) The individual is under the influence of a drug or
combination of drugs to a degree which impairs the
individual's ability to safely drive, operate or be in actual
physical control of the movement of the vehicle.
75 Pa.C.S.A. § 3802(d)(1)(i) and (2).
Moreover, we note that the Commonwealth also charged Appellant with
possession of narcotics paraphernalia and careless driving. 35 P.S.
§780-113(a)(32) and 75 Pa.C.S.A. §3714(a). However, the Commonwealth
later nolle prossed those charges and they are not the subject of this appeal.
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Schedule I controlled substance for “a high potential for abuse, no currently
accepted medical use in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for
use under medical supervision[,3]” Appellant argued that the Medical
Marijuana Act (MMA)4 essentially removed marijuana from the Schedule I
controlled substance list. Appellant argued that because he was authorized
under the MMA to procure and use medical marijuana at the time of the traffic
stop, he could not be convicted of DUI – controlled substance pursuant to
Section 3802(d)(1)(i) because he could not be found to have had a Schedule
I controlled substance in his bloodstream.
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3 35 P.S. § 780-104(1)(iv) (schedule of controlled substances).
4 Effective May 17, 2016, our legislature established the MMA, “[a] medical
marijuana program for patients suffering from serious medical condition[s.]”
35 Pa.S.C.A. § 10231.301. “Medical marijuana” is defined as “marijuana for
certified medical use.” Id. “Certified medical use” is defined as “the
acquisition, possession, use or transportation of medical marijuana by a
patient, or the acquisition, possession, delivery, transportation or
administration of medical marijuana by a caregiver, for use as part of the
treatment of the patient's serious medical condition, as authorized in a
certification under this act, including enabling the patient to tolerate treatment
for the serious medical condition.” Id. Medical marijuana is sold by a
“dispensary” or “[a] person, including a natural person, corporation,
partnership, association, trust or other entity, or any combination thereof,
which holds a permit issued by the department to dispense medical
marijuana.” Id. The MMA further states that “[t]he growth, processing,
distribution, possession and consumption of medical marijuana permitted
under [the MMA] shall not be deemed a violation of the Controlled Substances”
Act and “[i]f a provision of the Controlled Substances [] Act relating to
marijuana conflicts with a provision of [the MMA], [the MMA] shall take
precedence.” 35 P.S. § 10231.2101.
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By order entered on January 27, 2020, the trial court found Appellant
guilty of DUI - controlled substance and possession of a small amount of
marijuana and deferred sentencing.5 On February 21, 2020, the trial court
sentenced Appellant to five days of house arrest followed by six months of
probation, plus fines. This timely appeal resulted.6
On appeal, Appellant presents the following issue for our review:
Whether the trial court committed an error of law in determining
that 35 P.S. § 10231.2101 of the Medical Marijuana Act did not
remove medical marijuana consumed by an individual pursuant to
a valid Medical Marijuana Identification Card from the definition of
a Schedule I Controlled Substance as defined by The Controlled
Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, 35 Pa.C.S.A.
§780-101 and therefore removing it from the list of substances
prohibited from being in a driver's blood in any amount by 75
[Pa.C.S.A.] § 3802(d)(1)(i) of the DUI [s]tatute?
Appellant’s Brief at 4.
In support of his appeal, Appellant makes the following arguments.
“Appellant submits that passage of the [MMA] removed medical marijuana
from classification as a Schedule I controlled substance[,] thus removing it
from the list of controlled substances prohibited from being in a driver's blood
in any amount while operating a motor vehicle.” Id. at 8. Appellant claims
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5 The trial court found Appellant not guilty of DUI (general impairment) under
Section 3802(d)(2).
6 Appellant filed a notice of appeal, and corresponding concise statement of
errors complained of on appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b), on February
27, 2020. On April 27, 2020, the trial court filed a statement pursuant to
Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a), largely relying upon the rationale set forth in its previous
orders with some minor “additions to the record[.]” Rule 1925(a) Statement,
4/27/2020, at 1.
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that “[i]t is clear from the language of the MMA that the legislature intended
to create a legal distinction between marijuana and medical marijuana and to
provide the latter with a distinct legal status, exemptions, and its users with
[protection from prosecution for conduct that would otherwise be subject to
criminal sanction].” Id. at 14. As such, Appellant argues that his DUI
conviction cannot stand. In the alternative, citing our Court’s decision in
Commonwealth v. Jezzi, 208 A.3d 1105 (Pa. Super. 2019), Appellant
argues that the case should be remanded for the trial court to make “a finding
as to whether the substance in the Appellant's blood was from medical
marijuana or not.” Id. at 8.
Because Appellant’s claim is that the MMA preempts a prosecution for
DUI – controlled substance in the instant case, our standard of review is as
follows:
The proper interpretation of a statute raises a question of law,
over which our standard of review is de novo and our scope of
review is plenary.
When interpreting a statute, we look to ascertain and effectuate
the intention of the General Assembly. Additionally, we must give
effect to all of the laws[‘] provision[s] and are not to render
language superfluous or assume language to be mere surplusage.
If the text of the statute is clear and free from all ambiguity, the
letter of it is not to be disregarded under the pretext of pursuing
its spirit.
Moreover, where there is a conflict in the terms of a statute, 1
Pa.C.S.A. § 1933 provides the following guidance:
Whenever a general provision in a statute shall be in conflict
with a special provision in the same or another statute, the
two shall be construed, if possible, so that effect may be
given to both. If the conflict between the two provisions is
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irreconcilable, the special provisions shall prevail and shall
be construed as an exception to the general provision,
unless the general provision shall be enacted later and it
shall be the manifest intention of the General Assembly that
such general provision shall prevail.
Commonwealth v. Bundy, 96 A.3d 390, 395 (Pa. Super. 2014) (internal
case citations and quotations omitted).
In Commonwealth v. Jezzi, 208 A.3d 1105 (Pa. Super. 2019), this
Court confronted the interplay between the MMA and the Controlled
Substances Act. Therein, Jezzi was charged with various narcotics charges
including, inter alia, two counts of possession with intent to deliver marijuana
in connection with “a cannabis grow [operation] with approximately 40
[marijuana] plants.” Jezzi, 208 A.3d at 1108. Jezzi argued that the MMA and
Controlled Substances Act conflicted, that marijuana had been removed from
the Schedule I controlled substances list, and he was entitled to equal
protection under the law. Our Court ultimately concluded:
[Jezzi] calls upon us to abrogate the Schedule I classification of
marijuana under the [Controlled Substances Act], in light of the
passage of the MMA, based on an equal protection argument.
Initially, [Jezzi’s] statutory “irreconcilable differences” argument
lacks merit, where the MMA simply establishes a scheme for the
lawful use of medical marijuana. See 35 P.S. §§ 10231.102(3),
10231.102(1) (stating scientific evidence suggests medical
marijuana is one potential therapy that may have therapeutic
benefits). The usage of language like “suggests,” “potential,” and
“may” does not conclusively demonstrate the General Assembly
found marijuana to have accepted medical use other than for its
palliative or analgesic effects. Rather, the statutory language
illustrates the General Assembly's intent to create legal avenues
for research into the use of medical marijuana while providing
pathways to potential relief for certain categories of patients. See
id.
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Furthermore, the temporary nature of the MMA serves as an
acknowledgement of the General Assembly that more research
into the medical value of marijuana is necessary. See 35 P.S.
§ 10231.102(4). The MMA established a medical marijuana
program to serve as a stopgap measure, “pending Federal
approval of and access to medical marijuana through traditional
medical and pharmaceutical avenues.” See id. The plain text of
the MMA acknowledges the potential therapeutic value of medical
marijuana, but it does not declare that marijuana has accepted
medical use. See 35 P.S. § 10231.102(1),(3). Instead, the MMA
intends to be “a temporary measure, pending Federal approval of
and access to medical marijuana through traditional medical and
pharmaceutical avenues.” See 35 P.S. § 10231.102(4).
Therefore, the MMA and the [Controlled Substances Act] Schedule
I classification of marijuana do not conflict on the ground of
“currently accepted medical use.” Instead, the General Assembly
allows for the use of medical marijuana under very specific
guidelines which, when followed, will not lead to criminal
punishment. See 35 P.S. § 10231.2101. [Jezzi] did not meet any
criteria under the MMA to merit its protection directly or indirectly.
In short, the MMA is not relevant to [Jezzi’s] case in any form.
Regarding [Jezzi’s] equal protection challenge, we first observe[d]
that medical marijuana is not listed in the [Controlled Substances
Act] as a Schedule I substance, only marijuana is listed. The MMA
provides a very limited and controlled vehicle for the legal use
of medical marijuana by persons qualified under the MMA. See
35 P.S. § 10231.102(3). Outside the MMA, marijuana remains
a prohibited Schedule I controlled substance for the general
citizenry who are unqualified under the MMA. See 35 P.S.
§ 10231.304.
Jezzi, 208 A.3d at 1114–1115 (case citations omitted; emphasis added).
In this case, the trial court determined that despite having a valid
medical marijuana identification card, “the marijuana [found on Appellant]
was procured from an illegal source and that [Appellant] purchased that
marijuana at a KFC restaurant located near the state prison and from [an
unlicensed] dispenser.” Trial Court Order, 12/20/2019, at *2 (unpaginated).
Appellant has not challenged that factual determination, and upon our review,
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the record supports the trial court’s conclusion. Here, Officer Kulka testified
that “while [waiting] at [Appellant’s preliminary] hearing, [Appellant, without
provocation,] related [] that he obtained the marijuana he had on the date of
the incident from a random individual at KFC in Waynesburg.” N.T.,
12/18/2019, at 54. Thereafter, at trial, Appellant admitted under oath that
he had procured the marijuana at issue at a KFC restaurant. Id. at 72.
Moreover, at the time of the incident, Appellant admitted to Officer Kulka that
he had smoked some of the marijuana found on his person earlier that
morning. Id. at 53.
Initially, we agree with Appellant that “there is a legal distinction
between marijuana and medical marijuana.” As set forth above, our
legislature allows for the limited use of medical marijuana under very specific
guidelines which, when followed, will not lead to criminal punishment.
Appellant, however, did not follow those guidelines. By his own admission,
Appellant did not legally procure medical marijuana at an official dispensary
despite having an authorized medical marijuana identification card to do so.
Furthermore, having an authorized medical marijuana identification card did
not give Appellant carte blanche to procure marijuana illegally from a random
person on the street. Additionally, Appellant also admitted to using the
marijuana illegally obtained from the KFC restaurant prior to driving. In this
matter, medical marijuana is simply not at issue and no additional fact-finding
is warranted. Put simply, there was ample evidence introduced at trial to
prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant operated a motor vehicle with
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marijuana in his bloodstream, in violation of Section 3802(d)(1)(i).
Accordingly, we conclude that the trial court did not err in determining the
MMA inapplicable and Appellant’s sole appellate issue lacks merit.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 12/31/2020
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