Opinion ID: 2634779
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Evidence of Marijuana Use

Text: [¶35] Ms. Cathcart also claims the district court abused its discretion in allowing evidence to be introduced at trial concerning a marijuana pipe found at the accident scene and statements that she used marijuana prior to the accident. She contends the evidence was inflammatory and irrelevant given the toxicology reports indicating she had not used marijuana on the day of the accident. State Farm responds that evidence concerning the pipe and alleged marijuana use was relevant because it was a factor considered in evaluating Ms. Cathcart's claim. The district court agreed that the evidence was relevant to show what information State Farm gathered and considered in evaluating the claim and ruled that it was admissible. [¶36] All relevant evidence is admissible at trial; irrelevant evidence is not admissible. W.R.E. 402. Evidence is relevant if it has any tendency to make more or less probable the existence of any fact of consequence to determining the action. W.R.E. 401. State Farm's theory of defense was that its actions were reasonable given the factors weighing in favor of a determination that Ms. Cathcart's comparative fault was sufficient to preclude her from recovering uninsured motorist benefits or that her damages would have been reduced by her percentage of fault. One of those factors was the evidence of marijuana use in the car she was driving on the day of the accident. There is no question that evidence was relevant as that term is defined by our rules. [¶37] However, the fact that the evidence was relevant is not always determinative of its admissibility. Even relevant evidence must satisfy W.R.E. 403, which states: Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence. [¶38] As with other rulings on the admissibility of evidence, the district court's authority to exclude relevant evidence is discretionary in nature, as it is in a better position both to detect and to assess the dangers and considerations enumerated in the rule, and to balance these against the probative value of proffered evidence. Banks v. Crowner, 694 P.2d 101, 104 (Wyo. 1985). We find no abuse of discretion in the district court's determination that the probative value of the evidence at issue outweighed the danger of unfair prejudice. Our conclusion in this regard is bolstered by the fact that evidence was also presented showing the toxicology report results, which evidence further reduced the danger of unfair prejudice.