What Does Medical Marijuana mean for Gun Owners?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock you’re probably aware that Oklahomans recently voted to legalize Marijuana for medicinal purposes. Proponents of the bill have said that the law will help thousands of Oklahomans effectively treat their illnesses with non-narcotic or habit forming prescription drugs. They also claim it will provide a good source of tax revenue for the State to help fund education and other necessary institutions. What they don’t tell you is that if you use Marijuana for medicinal purposes, you can no longer legally own or possess a firearm.

Anytime you buy a firearm from a gun store you will be required to fill out an ATF Form 4473. This is the standard background check form that we’ve all filled out when purchasing firearms. If you read the form(like you should of) you might remember there’s a question on there asking if you are a user of illegal drugs, because per Federal Law illegal users of drugs are non eligible to own and possess firearms. The ATF has even amended Form 4473 to specify this:

“Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?

Warning: The use or possession of marijuana remains unlawful under Federal law regardless of whether it has been legalized or decriminalized for medicinal or recreational purposes in the state where you reside.”

The Federal Government’s position on the possession of firearms by anyone who uses Marijuana, however legal that use may be in your state is crystal clear. If you use Marijuana for any reason, you are federally prohibited from owning or possessing firearms. We could speculate about how this may change in the future as Marijuana becomes increasingly accepted in our society, but we’ll leave that speculation for others.

It’s important to keep this in mind if you are considering the use of Marijuana in the treatment of your health issues. By applying for and receiving a Medicinal Marijuana recommendation from a doctor you have effectively moved yourself into the category of being Federally ineligible to purchase, own and possess firearms. If you plan to use Marijuana for medicinal purpose be sure to find a new home for your firearms with someone who is eligible to own them. The last thing you want is to run afoul of Federal firearm laws and risk arrest, prosecution and Federal prison time.