Cannabis patients must fight to keep basic rights. A report from NORML.org revealed that legislation was introduced to allow medical marijuana users to continue purchasing firearms.
Themarijuana lawyers of Los Angeles know that medical marijuana patients have fought for the right to cannabis for many years and that taking away Second Amendment rights would be a serious violation of civil liberties.
Unfortunately marijuana has long been contentiously classified as a Schedule 1 drug by the federal government.
In a memo from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the bureau revealed its viewpoint, which is that it is illegal for any medical-marijuana patient who is legally registered with the state to possess or own ammunition or firearms.
The letter was drafted by the Assistant Director at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and its purpose was to provide guidance to all federal firearms licensees.
The letter stated that any person who is addicted to marijuana or uses marijuana – regardless of whether the state allows the use may not lawfully possess ammunition or firearms.
The letter taking away the rights of medical marijuana users is particularly troubling for an individual who hunts regularly and is a gun owner. However, when the federal government limits second amendment rights so broadly it is a problem for all citizens.
The federal government has increasingly shown an inability to express the will of its people and instead act as a separate entity that imposes its will on the American public.
The right to bear arms is a basic and fundamental right from the United States Constitution and the Federal Government should not be permitted to ban the use of firearms across the board for medicinal marijuana users who are legally ingesting a substance that helps them control pain or other symptoms of various diseases.
The letter to federally licensed gun dealers tells them they cannot sell ammunition or guns to an individual if they have “reasonable cause to believe” the potential buyer is using a controlled substance.
The continuing clash between federal and state drug laws has led to criminal cases and lawsuits in many of the 16 states that have authorized some degree of marijuana use.
The new bill, introduced by a Colorado congressman, seeks to restore the Second Amendment right to possess firearms for hunting, sport, and personal protection.
Medical marijuana users are law-abiding citizens who do not deserve to lose their Second Amendment rights.
The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients and those facing marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.
Additional Resources:
The Library of Congress – HR 3483, November 14, 2013.
More Blog Entries:
Flying With Marijuana Now Legal? Oct. 17, 2013, Los Angeles Marijuana Lawyer Blog
Synthetic Marijuana Dealer Convicted in Closely-Watched Federal Case, Oct. 14, 2013, Los Angeles Marijuana Lawyer Blog