The use of medical marijuana was legalized in the state of Mississippi in 2022. It can now be used by patients with particular conditions, including chronic pain, PTSD, cancer, etc. Nonetheless, the use of medical marijuana has its drawbacks to the users as far as ownership of guns and employment are concerned, since federal and state laws differ. According to the law of Mississippi, medical marijuana card users are permitted to own firearms. However, the federal law considers cannabis a controlled drug, and this is an issue concerning the possession of guns. The law of Mississippi allows people with medical marijuana cards to possess firearms. Nevertheless, the federal statute views cannabis as a controlled substance, and this poses a problem in the ownership of guns. This paper examines the Effect of these laws on users of medical marijuana in Mississippi so that they can realize their rights and restrictions about firearms and employment.

Mississippi and Medical Marijuana Laws, and gun ownership

In the year 2022, a law was passed in Mississippi that allowed some people to consume medical marijuana with the permission of a physician. In Mississippi, people, even with a medical marijuana card, can legally own guns. However, these individuals will not be allowed to purchase guns in stores that obey federal regulations since the federal law states that marijuana is illegal. Therefore, medical marijuana can be used in Mississippi. Still, cardholders are not supposed to buy guns because this is against federal law.

Federal Bans on Medical Marijuana Patients’ Gun Possession

Although the use of medical marijuana is legalized in certain states, the federal law poses a challenge to such users who desire to possess guns. Under the Gun Control Act of 1968, nobody is permitted to purchase or possess firearms if he or she is under the influence of illegal drugs. Gun ownership is forbidden among medical marijuana users because, at the federal level, the drug is regarded as a controlled substance. The ATF imposes this, and licensed dealers are not allowed to sell firearms to individuals who have a medical marijuana prescription. Therefore, the cardholders of medical marijuana cannot purchase guns legally from licensed dealers.

Will Mississippi Let Pot Patients Have Guns?

People with a medical marijuana card may find it complicated to have a gun; however, this is simpler in Mississippi. A statute allows civilians, including those who use medical cannabis, to transport guns in such places as churches without a special license. At 18 or older, you can carry a firearm in a bag or on the hip. Yet, the medical marijuana users are not devoid of rules. In some circumstances, they are only allowed to carry guns, and they cannot purchase guns in stores that adhere to federal laws.

Federal Law and the Effect it has on the Purchase of Guns by medical Marijuana Cardholders

The federal law influences the medical marijuana cardholders in Mississippi in terms of gun purchase. To buy a gun, you should do a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)—the form questions whether you are an unlawful user of controlled substances such as marijuana. You cannot purchase a gun from a federally licensed dealer when you answer yes. This disparity between the state and federal law, whereby the former has legalized medical marijuana but the latter limits the access of guns by medical marijuana users, leaves the latter confused over the possibility of owning a firearm when they use medical cannabis.

Employment concerns in Mississippi over medical marijuana consumers

The users of medical marijuana in Mississippi encounter issues, particularly in the workplace. Even though they are not discriminated against in housing and public places, state law does not protect employees who use medical cannabis. Employers may continue to impose drug-free workplace policies. They may terminate or refuse to hire an individual who tests positive for marijuana, even in the case of medical necessity. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) cannot protect medical marijuana users since the drug is illegal at the federal level. This has resulted in the discrimination or even sacking of those who need medical cannabis at their workplace.

Can You Qualify For A Medical Marijuana License if You’ve Already Got a Gun License?

You may also get a gun license and a medical marijuana card in Mississippi. The state does not have laws that disallow gun owners from seeking a medical cannabis card. However, whereas it is legal to possess a gun license and a medical marijuana card in Mississippi, it is not the same case at the federal level. The legislation does not allow marijuana users to acquire firearms from licensed dealers. Thus, suppose that you are a medical marijuana user. At that, you can get into legal issues when you attempt to buy a gun. Such a conflict between state and federal laws leaves people confused about whether they can wish to consume medical marijuana and possess firearms.

Legislation and the Issues that Confront Medical Marijuana Gun Owners in Mississippi

The legislation regarding the ownership of guns by individuals who use medical marijuana is new in Mississippi. A law was enacted in 2016 that allows such users to possess firearms in certain circumstances, such as carrying guns in their bags. One more law in 2022 assisted in safeguarding their rights even further.

Until November 2023, no significant court actions of this nature were taken. The issue is that, according to the federal law, individuals who use marijuana are not allowed to have guns. This complicates the situation of the medical marijuana users who would like to own guns.

Effects of the Federal Law on the rights to own firearms under the possession of medical marijuana users

The use of medical marijuana by people influences their ownership of guns in the state of Mississippi because of federal law. ATF enacts regulations that state that you cannot possess or purchase a weapon even when it is legal in your state, if you use marijuana. The government continues to believe that marijuana is hazardous, even though a significant number of states permit its use as a medical treatment. Owing to this, gun purchase by the people with medical marijuana cards in Mississippi is difficult.

How the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Can Enforce Gun Laws

People who use medical marijuana must follow federal firearm laws set by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It is also a requirement of the buyers of the guns to report on the ATF form 4473 on whether they are illegal users of controlled substances such as marijuana. Take an example of a medical marijuana cardholder who may be forced to disclose that they use marijuana by selling a rifle to a federally licensed dealer. The ATF will then prevent the sale in such a case. This policy shows how there has been a constant conflict between state laws, such as the Mississippi law that allows the use of medical marijuana, and federal laws regarding the possession of guns.

The Take of Mississippi on Patients of Medical Marijuana and Ownership of Guns

Mississippi and the federal government differ on the regulations concerning the possession of guns by medical marijuana users. Guns are okay in the hands of people with a medical marijuana card in Mississippi. This will help them know their rights. But if someone uses marijuana, they can’t buy guns from licensed stores. Although it is possible according to the state law, it causes confusion among the people in Mississippi due to the federal law.

In conclusion, there remains a clash of state and federal laws.

Overall, the situation is quite alarming when people in Mississippi possess medical marijuana cards and desire to own firearms. The state tells them that they are allowed to have guns, but the federal regulations prohibit them from doing so. They find it difficult to do what to do due to this confusion. Moreover, the possession of a medical marijuana card may be problematic at the workplace in case there are drug policies. Since the laws concerning marijuana are changing, one must be aware of the rules in Mississippi. Gun ownership is a problematic issue among these people due to the differences in the law.