Foster Parenting & Medical Marijuana in Arizona

As parents, we make decisions for the health and safety of our children. Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation is here to help guide you through the safety of being a foster parent. As foster parents, we are responsible for making those decisions, but we are subject to more oversight from the state. For the most part, what the state considers reasonable and prudent parenting aligns with common sense. For example, it’s reasonable to let a child spend time with his or her friends, and prudent to provide age-appropriate supervision.

When it comes to medical cannabis, the state of Arizona inevitably clashes with some foster parents and potential foster parents.

Can Medical Marijuana Users Become Foster Parents in Arizona?

DCS policy clearly bans people who consume medical cannabis from becoming foster parents.

Medical marijuana patients in Arizona argue that they can provide safe homes. The state does not disqualify homes containing alcohol or prescription drugs, after all.

Yet the state has to protect children and teens in foster care from homes where illegal drug use occurs. Even though marijuana has semi-legal status in the state, federal law clearly prohibits it. In addition to potential encounters with police, the legal gray area creates serious safety concerns as criminals may target legal users. Therefore, the state errs on the side of caution.

DCS Reverses Decision on Hemp Oil

While medical marijuana remains prohibited for foster parents, Rebecca Masterson of Phoenix recently challenged DCS on its refusal to give her a foster care license. She gave her 12-year-old son a non-psychoactive form of hemp oil. She successfully argued that the product, available at retail stores, posed no danger to her adopted son or to the 16-year-old for whom she was applying for a license.

While not every parent will choose to stock hemp oil in the medicine cabinet, DCS announced that it will view industrial hemp products differently from THC and CBD products prohibited by federal law. Prospective foster parents who possess or use hemp-based products that are legal in all 50 states are encouraged to apply, but foster parents who use medical marijuana based on state law will still be rejected at this time.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
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 Michelle Noe 
 
January 20, 2023
 
 
  
As a foster mom I am so thrilled to have this amazing organization. It has helped us with getting tickets for a sibling not in our care to go to Legoland with us, winter formal dresses, yearbook, drivers training, Fry's Gift card, a band trip to Hawaii, and more. Teens in foster care are costly. Our teen is in the Keys to Success program and Maddie Poindexter has been an amazing asset to our teen. She is helping us navigate college options, pilot school, and more. It’s like having a big sister who cares and follows up. She is cheerleader and encourages our teen to reach for the stars. With the support , help and excellent direction our teen believes in herself. Just parents are not enough. She has her own coach who she can confide in. Love this organization and it’s generosity! My teen will have every advantage with this support and become a productive member of society. Research shows that kids need at least one advocate…one person to believe in them. This nonprofit is changing lives.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Miss Shopalot 
 
May 30, 2019
 
 
  
Amazing organization! With so many deterrents that make it hard to foster, AZFFC MAKE ME KEEP GOING! I can help my kids better because of them! Thank you!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Del McArdle 
 
February 11, 2018
 
 
  
AZ Friends of Foster Children is full of Champions seeking change for AZ wards.  Warrants will help stop the unlawful seizing of our AZ kids by DCS but foster parents need to report government abuse and unlawful seizing of kids by DCS to the FBI, DOJ, and AG.  DCS and Greg McKay can't seize as they please.  The warrant law is real!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 George Lopez 
 
August 30, 2017
 
 
  
This organization allows you to help foster kids by supporting foster parents. If you don't want to be a foster parent, then the next best thing is to support a foster parent! Do it thru this organization!