Washington (AP) — The Supreme Court has announced plans to consider a significant case regarding the firearm rights of individuals who regularly use marijuana. The decision comes in the wake of a request from the Trump-era Justice Department to revisit a case involving Ali Danial Hemani, a Texas resident charged with a felony for possessing a gun while admitting to being a regular marijuana user.
This legal challenge arises after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals deemed unconstitutional a blanket ban on gun possession for individuals using illegal drugs, including marijuana. With about 20% of Americans reportedly having used marijuana, Hemani’s legal team argues that the law unfairly criminalizes millions, particularly as nearly half of U.S. states have legalized recreational cannabis.
The Justice Department contends that the prohibition is a necessary measure to ensure public safety, citing that Hemani's firearm was discovered during an investigation related to alleged drug trafficking connections with Iran. The case highlights the compounding issues of state versus federal law in an era of increasing cannabis legalization.
If the Supreme Court finds in favor of Hemani, it could set a precedent for the interpretation of the Second Amendment in relation to drug use, further expanding the discussion around gun rights. The arguments in this case are expected to unfold in early 2026, with a ruling anticipated by summer of that year.
The Supreme Court's recent history reflects a more expansive view of gun rights. Following a landmark ruling in 2022 that affirmed the right to carry firearms in public, this upcoming case may further shape legal standards regarding who can possess a firearm in America, particularly amidst evolving cannabis policies.
