The Supreme Court will soon decide if regular marijuana users can own guns. This follows a recent case regarding a Texas man charged for having a gun while using pot.
The Justice Department is appealing a prior ruling from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which found the law banning gun ownership for illegal drug users too broad. The lower court believed this law overstepped constitutional rights, especially after the Supreme Court expanded gun rights in a 2022 ruling.
Ali Danial Hemani is at the center of this case. His lawyers successfully argued that the felony charge against him should be dropped. However, the court maintained that the law could still apply to those found using drugs and armed. This is significant because about 20% of Americans have tried marijuana at some point, according to data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
The government still defends the restriction. They argue that drug users can pose serious safety risks, especially in cases like Hemani’s, where cocaine and a gun were found during a search related to other allegations. However, his defense claims those details were exaggerated to paint him as a greater threat.
This case highlights ongoing debates about the Second Amendment. The conservative majority on the Supreme Court recently emphasized that any firearm regulations need strong historical support. This has led to numerous challenges against existing gun laws across the country.
With nearly half of U.S. states legalizing recreational marijuana, the conflict between state and federal laws creates a complex scenario. While the Justice Department insists on public safety, many see this as an overreach that could unfairly penalize responsible citizens.
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments in 2026, we’re likely to see intense discussion around individual rights and public safety. The outcome could reshape the legal landscape for gun ownership and drug use in America.
Source link
Politics, Gun politics, General news, Marijuana, Courts, Business, U.S. news, Washington news, Article, 126680021
