Conservatives, Liberals Unite On SCOTUS Gun Case

It has been said that "politics makes strange bedfellows" over the years.

But a Supreme Court case involving a pot-user's Second Amendment rights is now before the court. It appears that the justices might side with marijuana users. Conservatives and liberals seem united in defending a weed-smoker's Second Amendment rights.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported:

A Texas man’s case illustrates the potential for common ground between right-leaning critics of gun control and left-leaning critics of the war on drugs.

Under federal law, millions of Americans are committing felonies right now because they own guns and use marijuana, even if they live in states that have legalized the drug. There is nothing unconstitutional about that baffling situation, a Trump administration lawyer assured the Supreme Court on Monday, because cannabis consumers are analogous to “habitual drunkards,” who historically could be confined to workhouses or mental institutions.

Most of the justices, including both Republican and Democratic appointees, seemed skeptical of that claim. Their agreement reflected the trans-partisan alliances inspired by this case, which illustrates the potential for common ground between right-leaning critics of gun control and left-leaning critics of the war on drugs.

The case, which sits at the intersection of those two policies, involves Ali Hemani, a Texas man who was charged with illegal gun possession in 2023 after an FBI search of his home discovered a Glock 19 pistol, about 2 ounces of marijuana, and less than a gram of cocaine. Hemani admitted that the gun was his, and that he smoked marijuana a few times a week, which would have been enough to convict him.

To read the full article, go here. 

Cannabis + Guns Is Heading To SCOTUS

A number of Second Amendment and gun cases are heading to the U.S. Supreme Court this year. One of which is the federal law barring cannabis users from owning firearms. 

That will be an interesting case to follow as I know several gun owners who also use cannabis.

According to MSN:

The clash between federal gun law and the country’s fast‑changing cannabis landscape is about to land in front of the justices, and your rights could be caught in the middle. The Supreme Court is preparing to hear a case that asks whether the government can bar people who use marijuana from owning firearms, even when state law treats their cannabis use as legal. To understand what is really at stake, you need a clear view of the timeline, the legal arguments, and how this fight could reshape both Second Amendment doctrine and drug policy enforcement.

It is interesting that a right is barred if one uses marijuana. It is about as ridiculous as that one's First Amendment Right is barred if they use pot.

To read the full article, go here. 

SCOTUS Tackles Marijuana Use & Gun Rights

Currently under federal statute, a person who regularly uses marijuana cannot possess a firearm.

This goes against the Second Amendment's rights afforded to people. 

The Supreme Court will hear a case calling to question the constitutionality of the statute. 

Pew Pew Tactical posted:

More than 90 petitions were submitted to the Supreme Court for consideration, with the justices only agreeing to hear three – one of which will settle the debate on marijuana use and gun possession.

In a six-page orders list, the Supreme Court said it would hear United States v. Hemani – the only gun-related issue to be argued in front of justices this term.

The case aims to get to the bottom of whether federal statute 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(3) violates the Second Amendment. The statute currently prohibits the possession of firearms by a person who ‘is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance.’

To read more, go here. 

SCOTUS To Take Up Ban On Gun Ownership For Marijuana Users

The federal statute of banning firearm possession by marijuana users is likely going to be heard in the U.S. Supreme Court. 

I have always felt that this law was ridiculous.

According to Townhall:

The Supreme Court will consider hearing a gun control case related to a federal ban on firearm possession by marijuana users.

The high court is reportedly expected to have a private discussion on whether it will take up the case of US v. Cooper on September 29. The law has been roundly criticized by gun rights advocates who argue that it is a violation of the Second Amendment.

The case centers on LaVance LeMarr Cooper, who was prosecuted for owning a firearm as a marijuana user, which made him a “prohibited person” under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), a federal criminal statute that bars certain people from owning firearms or ammunition.

This subsection targets those who unlawfully use controlled substances.

To read more, go here. 

New Mexico’s 4/20 Pot Sales Grew Like A Weed

It is funny. 

Last year, the state of New Mexico legalized the recreational use of marijuana and then put out public service announcements (PSA) warning people that people stoned on pot should not get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Well, they brought this upon themselves so they shouldn't complain.

Prior to the legalization, marijuana was available at dispensaries for medical use only.

Well, at least the dispensaries (and, I presume, the state with associated taxes) are making a profit on pot sales.

From the Piñon Post:

On April 20, marijuana smokers, dispensaries, and advocates celebrated the “420” holiday that praises the consumption of pot. In New Mexico, the formerly contraband drug was legalized beginning on April 1, 2022.

In 2022, New Mexico pot sales on the unofficial stoner holiday hit $1.12 million, according to Albuquerque Business First. However, in 2023, those numbers grew exponentially.

New Mexico sales of marijuana on April 20, 2023, rose 86 percent from last year to hit $2.82 million.

“This year’s 4/20 average transaction total was $50.28, up from the March average of $44.60. Hobbs recorded the highest average transaction size at $94.96,” reported the outlet.

To read more, go here. 

Judge: Pot Users Have Right To Own Firearms

Marijuana users have a constitutional right to own firearms, a federal judge in Oklahoma City ruled.

From Fox News:

A federal judge in Oklahoma ruled Friday that a law barring marijuana users from owning firearms is unconstitutional. 

The ruling is the latest challenge to firearms regulations after the U.S. Supreme Court's conservative majority set new standards for reviewing the nation's gun laws.

U.S. District Judge Patrick Wyrick in Oklahoma City dismissed an indictment against Jared Michael Harrison, who was charged in August with violating a federal law that makes it illegal for "unlawful users or addicts of controlled substances" to possess firearms.

To read more, go here.

Marijuana Unwelcome In California National Parks

Above, a grove of Sequoia trees. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is no secret to people with common sense that California has transformed from "The Golden State" to the "Crazy State". This is especially true since voters passed the Proposition 64 initiative legalizing recreational use of marijuana.

While this is the case, don't bother bringing your stash of pot to Sequoia National Park or any other national park in California.

Fresno's ABC30.com reported:

When traveling to a national park, park officials recommend leaving marijuana at home. 

"Possession and use of marijuana is prohibited by federal law, and as a result is prohibited in national parks," said Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Public Affairs Officer Sintia Kawasaki-Lee. 

If caught with cannabis, officials say it will be confiscated and you could be fined. 

These are the rules, regardless of Proposition 64, which legalized the drug in California.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Medical Marijuana Users Lose 2nd Amendment Rights

Above, Diamond Head from the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon at Waikiki Beach. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Hawaii may be a tropical paradise for some, but it has a state government that is a constitutional hell for others. 

Here is the kind of thing that happens when you have a one-party dictatorship of liberal Democrats ruling a state. California is another example.

Did you know that when laws allowing use of  recreational and medical marijuana were passed, the sneaky bastards in the Hawaiian legislature included a provision that if one uses medical marijuana they use their Second Amendment rights? Yes, it is unfortunately true!

See the letter below (courtesy of GOP congressional candidate Mark Reed):

This is blatantly unconstitutional! What's next? Users of mouthwash containing alcohol will be stripped of their Second Amendment rights, too?