America's gun law is already absurd. Now even more so, because apparently cannabis and guns don't mix. Pennslyvania state, for one, is up in arms about it (pardon the pun).
Cannabis and Guns
Here's the breakdown of cannabis law in America:
Under US federal law, marijuana is illegal—medically and recreationally. This means it is against the law to own, sell, or smoke marijuana... unless, of course, state legislation has allowed the drug use.
This means a state has the right to change the marijuana law in that jurisdiction in a democratic vote. So far, nine states have voted to make adult-use legal, and others have voted for only medical use to be permitted. A few others, such as Texas, maintain federal law completely banning the drug.
Pennsylvania has become the latest state to adopt a medical marijuana program. Sales are expected to begin next month.
Guns and Cannabis
In America, controversially, firearms ownership and usage is completely legal for anyone over the age of 21 (though many studies have shown how easy it is to get your hand on a gun as a minor).
But not if you are a cannabis user. Then the law allowing you to own a gun does not apply to you, as it is federally illegal for anyone using cannabis, medically or otherwise, to own a gun.
Pennslyvania
This is becoming a prevalent issue in Pennslyvania because Pennsylvanians love their guns; more than 800,000 guns are sold or transferred in the state annually, and only 10,000 people are signed up for medical marijuana. You do the math.
Authorities are already warning patients that federal law prohibits marijuana users from having guns or ammunition. As John T. Adams of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association puts it:
“They’re going to have to make a choice, they can have their guns or their marijuana, but not both.”
Frustrated users are calling the move a violation of people's Second Amendment rights. Further, President Donald Trump's strong pro-gun administration is certainly looking contradictory.
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Does this law make any sense to you? As one disgruntled Pennsylvania put it:
“I don’t know of any time anyone’s been using marijuana and going out and committing acts of violence with a gun. Most of the time they just sit on their couch and eat pizza.”
So, in America, guns are good. But add the cannabis, and suddenly you've got yourself a deadly weapon?
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