Maryland Lawmakers Discuss Bill To Protect Gun Rights For Medical Marijuana Patients In Committee
MJ moment

Maryland lawmakers on Wednesday held a hearing on a bill to protect gun rights for medical marijuana patients in the state. The House Judiciary Committee took up the legislation from Del. Robin Grammer (R) and four other GOP cosponsors days after a federal court declared that the federal ban prohibiting cannabis consumers from possessing firearms is unconstitutional. That ruling is expected to be appealed, so it remains to be seen whether the federal ban will ultimately be rescinded. But in the interim, Maryland legislators are seeking to provide some additional level of protection at the state level. “A person may not be denied the right to purchase, possess or carry a firearm under this title solely on the basis that the person is authorized to use medical cannabis” under state statute, the bill text says. Grammer said at Wednesday’s hearing that the existing policy “puts average Marylanders in a bind,” and he said the legislation would resolve a disconnect where state law permits medical cannabis cardholders to carry firearms but blocks them from purchasing them.

“You can actually still obtain a permit to carry but you just can’t purchase a firearm,” the sponsor said. “If you have the [medical cannabis] card, you lose your rights. It’s not about the purchase or possession or use of cannabis—your status as a qualifying patient is what dooms you.” He also referenced a memo from a former state attorney general, who he said suggested that one way “to clarify the issue was to reconcile the public safety article with the health general article section 13.3313, and that’s what this bill does.” Grammer filed a more expansive version of the legislation last month that included several additional layers of protections, including preventing state agencies from inquiring about patient status and requiring firearm purchase…

Excerpt only …
READ MORE BELOW
Source : Maryland Lawmakers Discuss Bill To Protect Gun Rights For Medical Marijuana Patients In Committee

reposted by Cannabis News World