A Texas Man Wins a Gun‑Rights Battle Over Marijuana

The Supreme Court has ruled that federal law cannot bar people who use marijuana from owning guns. The decision was unanimous and supports a Texas resident, Ali Danial Hemani, who argued that the ban violates his Second Amendment rights. Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote a narrow opinion, saying the government cannot remove firearms from drug users who are not dangerous. Hemani was never charged with a crime involving a gun or being under the influence when he used it. His lawyer said the ruling gives him closure. The case is a setback for the former Trump administration, which defended the 1968 law. The law was meant to keep guns away from dangerous people, but now millions use marijuana legally in many states. Gorsuch noted that the federal government has helped create this widespread use, making it hard to claim all users are a threat. The decision does not prevent prosecutors from charging drug users who show dangerous behavior. Recreational marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, even after the Trump administration reduced its danger rating in 2024. The ruling also touches on a past case involving Hunter Biden, who was convicted of buying a gun while using cocaine. He later received a pardon from President Joe Biden.

The case drew support from unexpected allies. The American Civil Liberties Union and the National Rifle Association backed Hemani, as did cannabis‑legalization groups like NORML. On the other side were gun‑safety organizations such as Everytown, which usually oppose the administration on Second Amendment matters. The ACLU praised the decision, saying it protects people from unfounded assumptions about danger. Opponents of marijuana legalization criticized the ruling. Smart Approaches to Marijuana said public health could suffer because the decision focuses on gun rights over safety concerns. Gun‑control groups were cautious, acknowledging that drugs and guns can still be a dangerous mix. This decision follows a wave of Supreme Court cases expanding gun rights since 2022. The court has upheld laws protecting domestic‑violence victims and strict regulations on ghost guns, while striking down a ban on bump stocks. A new case about carrying laws in Hawaii is also pending.

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