Arizona Supreme Court rejects religious defense claim in marijuana possession

PHOENIX — The Arizona Supreme Court says a man isn’t entitled to use a state religious-freedom law to overturn his conviction for possessing marijuana while driving.

The state high court’s unanimous ruling Tuesday rejects Danny Ray Hardesty’s argument that he’s entitled to use the same defense allowed for peyote use in Native American sacramental rights.

The justices said it’s already been established that concerns about public safety and health give the government a compelling interest in restricting marijuana use.

The court concluded that Hardesty’s claims that he has a right to use marijuana whenever he pleases, including while driving, means nothing less restrictive than a ban would suffice.