Oklahoma State Legislators Seek to Protect Medical Marijuana Patients’ Right to Bear Arms
A recent push by Oklahoma lawmakers aims to ensure that individuals who have been prescribed medical marijuana are not stripped of their Second Amendment rights. The proposed legislation would clarify that medical marijuana patients are not prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.
The move comes as a response to concerns that current laws may inadvertently disqualify medical marijuana users from owning guns. Under federal law, individuals who use marijuana, even with a valid prescription, are considered to be “unlawful users” of a controlled substance and are therefore prohibited from possessing firearms.
Oklahoma lawmakers argue that this federal prohibition is at odds with the state’s own laws, which permit the use of medical marijuana for certain medical conditions. They believe that medical marijuana patients should not be penalized for exercising their right to bear arms, as long as they are not impaired by the drug.
The proposed legislation would require medical marijuana patients to undergo a background check and provide proof of their medical marijuana prescription before purchasing or owning a firearm. This would ensure that only those who are legally permitted to own guns are able to do so, while also respecting the rights of medical marijuana patients.
The bill is currently being considered by the Oklahoma State Legislature and has garnered support from both medical marijuana advocates and gun rights groups. If passed, it would mark a significant step towards reconciling the state’s medical marijuana laws with federal gun laws.
