WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is preparing to determine if individuals who regularly consume marijuana are eligible to own firearms. This marks the latest in a series of significant firearm cases to be examined by the court following its 2022 ruling that broadened gun rights.
The issue has gained traction following a request from the Trump administration to revive a legal case against a man from Texas, Ali Danial Hemani, who was charged with a felony after acknowledging his consistent marijuana use and possessing a gun in his home. The Justice Department's appeal follows a lower court's decision that significantly weakened a law restricting gun ownership for drug users.
The question of legality arises amid a backdrop of changes in marijuana legislation across multiple states, creating discrepancies between state allowances and federal law where marijuana is still classified as illegal. The Department of Justice argues that the prohibition is a necessary safety measure aimed at professionals from engaging in potentially risky behavior associated with drug use.
Hemani's lawyers argue that this excessively crafted law places millions of citizens in jeopardy, especially as government stats indicate that at least 20% of Americans have tried marijuana at some point. As half of the states have legalized recreational marijuana, the situation reveals complexities in enforcing regulations tied to firearms while respecting individual rights.
The SCOTUS is expected to hear arguments in early 2026, with a ruling anticipated by early summer. This case showcases the ongoing debates surrounding the Second Amendment, particularly in the framework of the contemporary drug landscape.
The issue has gained traction following a request from the Trump administration to revive a legal case against a man from Texas, Ali Danial Hemani, who was charged with a felony after acknowledging his consistent marijuana use and possessing a gun in his home. The Justice Department's appeal follows a lower court's decision that significantly weakened a law restricting gun ownership for drug users.
The question of legality arises amid a backdrop of changes in marijuana legislation across multiple states, creating discrepancies between state allowances and federal law where marijuana is still classified as illegal. The Department of Justice argues that the prohibition is a necessary safety measure aimed at professionals from engaging in potentially risky behavior associated with drug use.
Hemani's lawyers argue that this excessively crafted law places millions of citizens in jeopardy, especially as government stats indicate that at least 20% of Americans have tried marijuana at some point. As half of the states have legalized recreational marijuana, the situation reveals complexities in enforcing regulations tied to firearms while respecting individual rights.
The SCOTUS is expected to hear arguments in early 2026, with a ruling anticipated by early summer. This case showcases the ongoing debates surrounding the Second Amendment, particularly in the framework of the contemporary drug landscape.
