Do you remember what the correct answer was? Because I am not aware of any FAR that requires reporting an arrest involving marijuana unless it involves operation of a motor vehicle while impaired.
If you get a medical that is not Basic Med you need to report convictions for misdemeanors or felonies on the MedXpress form but not arrests.
This is a great question.
The FAA website FAQ specifically references 14 CFR Part 61, but conflicts with it (from what I can read).
The FAQ says:
Do I have to report anything other than alcohol and/or drug related convictions?
Yes, under
14 CFR Part 61, you must report alcohol- and/or drug-related administrative actions, whether a conviction took place or not. Arrests, administrative actions, and convictions are also reportable under
Part 67, the airman application for a medical certificate.
However, Part 61 says:
A conviction for the violation of any Federal or State statute relating to the growing, processing, manufacture, sale, disposition, possession, transportation, or importation of narcotic drugs, marijuana, or depressant or stimulant drugs or substances is grounds for:
(1) Denial of an application for any certificate, rating, or authorization issued under this part for a period of up to 1 year after the date of final conviction; or
(2) Suspension or revocation of any certificate, rating, or authorization issued under this part.
Seems clear, right? Maybe not, because later in the same section it says:
(e) Each person holding a certificate issued under this part shall provide a written report of each motor vehicle action to the FAA, Civil Aviation Security Division (AMC-700), P.O. Box 25810, Oklahoma City, OK 73125, not later than 60 days after the motor vehicle action. The report must include:
(1) The person's name, address, date of birth, and airman certificate number;
(2) The type of violation that resulted in the conviction or the administrative action;
(3) The date of the conviction or administrative action;
(4) The State that holds the record of conviction or administrative action; and
(5) A statement of whether the motor vehicle action resulted from the same incident or arose out of the same factual circumstances related to a previously reported motor vehicle action.
(f) Failure to comply with paragraph (e) of this section is grounds for:
(1) Denial of an application for any certificate, rating, or authorization issued under this part for a period of up to 1 year after the date of the motor vehicle action; or
(2) Suspension or revocation of any certificate, rating, or authorization issued under this part.
So, we are required to provide a written report of a motor vehicle action to the Civil Aviation Security Division.
However, also in Part 61.15 is this:
(1) A conviction after November 29, 1990, for the violation of any Federal or State statute relating to the operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or a drug, while impaired by alcohol or a drug, or while under the influence of alcohol or a drug;
(2) The cancellation, suspension, or revocation of a license to operate a motor vehicle after November 29, 1990, for a cause related to the operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or a drug, while impaired by alcohol or a drug, or while under the influence of alcohol or a drug; or
(3) The denial after November 29, 1990, of an application for a license to operate a motor vehicle for a cause related to the operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or a drug, while impaired by alcohol or a drug, or while under the influence of alcohol or a drug.
Note that according to this, a simple arrest for a drug offense is not a motor vehicle action. Thus, it would seem to NOT require immediate notification, but would require you to report it on your next medical form (Part 67).
The FAQ says that we have to report it, but nowhere does Part 61 says anything about mandatory reporting of drug or alcohol violations that aren't motor vehicle related.
So, if you get pulled over in a rental car and an officer find a few marijuana seeds in the back seat, you have to immediately report. OTOH, if the DEA finds you at your house with a few large bags of white powder, a bunch of cash and firearms, you're in the clear as long as you weren't driving at the time. Makes perfect sense to me.
From the standpoint of the test, it is at best a trick question, and at worst evidence that the people writing the test don't know what the CFR actually says, vs. what it implies and vs. what the FAQ states (i.e., not the CFR and thus not legally binding).