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HR 48

A RESOLUTION urging the United States Congress to allow users of medical cannabis to own firearms.

2025 Regular Session

Kentucky urges Congress to exempt medical cannabis users from federal firearms ownership bans, reconciling state medical law with federal gun restrictions.

to Judiciary (H)
#cannabis #federallawsandregulations #firearmsandweapons
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Bill Summary · HR 48

Legislative bill overview

HR 48 is a Kentucky House resolution that urges the U.S. Congress to change federal law to permit medical cannabis users to legally own firearms. Currently, federal law prohibits anyone who is an "unlawful user" of controlled substances—including cannabis—from possessing firearms, regardless of state-level medical authorization. This resolution seeks to create an exception for qualifying medical cannabis patients.

Why is this important

This addresses a real conflict between state and federal law affecting an estimated 24+ million medical cannabis patients nationwide. Medical cannabis patients currently face a legal paradox: they may be legal under state law but unable to legally purchase firearms or face prosecution if discovered to possess them, limiting their Second Amendment rights. The resolution highlights tension between state medical autonomy and federal gun regulations.

Potential points of contention

  • Federal authority limits: Congress may be reluctant to carve cannabis exceptions into federal firearms law while cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance federally, creating legal inconsistency
  • Impaired judgment concerns: Opponents may argue that cannabis use—even medical use—could impair judgment in firearm safety and handling, raising public safety questions
  • Enforcement challenges: Creating a medical cannabis carve-out would require reliable verification mechanisms to distinguish medical users from recreational users, complicating federal background check systems

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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