Supreme Court Hears Case on Marijuana Consumers’ Gun Rights, Raises Questions About Rescheduling
The US Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case involving marijuana consumers’ Second Amendment gun rights, with most justices appearing skeptical of the Trump administration’s defense of the ban. The case raises questions about the potential rescheduling of marijuana, which could have significant implications for gun ownership.
In the hearing, the lawyer representing the Trump Department of Justice argued that the government has not made final decisions on what to do with marijuana rescheduling. However, the justices seemed unconvinced, with some suggesting that the pending rescheduling action undermines the idea that cannabis consumption makes a person uniquely dangerous and subject to disarmament.
Meanwhile, a former congressman from Maryland expressed concerns about the looming federal recriminalization of hemp THC products, which he described as an “adult beverage category.” The Virginia House and Senate Courts of Justice Committees also approved bills to provide resentencing relief for people with prior marijuana convictions, setting the stage for bicameral negotiations.
In Maryland, the Senate Finance Committee approved a bill to protect firefighters and rescue workers from being penalized for off-duty use of medical cannabis, with the sponsor arguing that marijuana provides a “safer, viable alternative” to opioids.
Law enforcement and anti-drug groups sent a letter urging congressional leaders not to delay the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products, which is set to take effect with a new Farm Bill being marked up this week.
In other news, the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation filed proposed rule changes to target bad actors in the industry, streamline ownership changes, and establish product recall procedures.
The Department of Defense inspector general reportedly stalled a review into the Trump administration’s deadly military strikes on suspected drug boats, and the Drug Enforcement Administration promoted an article about a study that found teens who use marijuana are “twice as likely to develop psychotic or bipolar disorders.”
Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) discussed his support for cannabis law reform, and Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) deflected a question about marijuana reform to lawmakers. The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska’s attorney general discussed plans to move forward with a medical cannabis program despite pushback from state officials.
The Iowa House Economic Growth and Technology Committee approved a bill to classify hemp as an agricultural commodity, and the Oregon House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business, and Trade rejected a bill to enact new restrictions on cannabis edibles. Illinois marijuana and hemp bills advanced to the Senate Cannabis Committee, and California regulators are moving to change rules on multipack cannabis goods.
