When getting a medical cannabis card, the last thing you want to worry about is your rights as a gun owner. Unfortunately, with the current federal legalities surrounding cannabis in the US, this makes things a bit difficult. Because of this, medical cannabis and gun laws in Maryland have become quite muddied, leaving residents confused as to where things stand.
Today, we’re breaking down what it means to be an MMJ patient and own a gun in Maryland — and whether or not you can do both. Let’s get started.
Can You Own a Gun If You Have a Medical Card in Maryland?
No, you cannot legally own or purchase a gun if you have a med card in Maryland. Federal law classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug, which prohibits firearm possession for cannabis users, regardless of state laws.
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Can You Own a Gun After Your Medical Card Expires in Maryland
Even after your medical card expires, federal law may still prevent you from legally owning or purchasing a gun if you’ve used cannabis. There is no specific provision allowing gun ownership based solely on the expiration of a medical card.
Understanding Med Card and Gun Ownership
Navigating gun ownership for medical cannabis patients in Maryland can be tricky due to federal restrictions. While Maryland’s Medical Cannabis Commission (MMJC) keeps patient information confidential, federal law still prohibits the possession or purchase of firearms for cannabis users. Maryland State Police may ask gun purchasers whether they are medical cannabis patients, and if they confirm, the transaction can be denied. Providing false information during a gun purchase can result in severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $250,000. Ultimately, federal law takes precedence over state laws regarding gun ownership and medical cannabis use in Maryland.
LEARN MORE: Maryland Marijuana Laws
MD Legislators Are Trying to Change Gun Laws
It’s not for lack of trying that M.D. legislators haven’t been able to change the legislation on gun laws and medical cannabis in Maryland.
In the 2019 session, both the Senate and the House introduced bills that would ensure that “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 title 13, subtitle 33 of the health – general article.”
HB749 died fairly quickly. However, SB97 made it to a vote in the Senate, passing unanimously, 46-0. At some point after, however, that bill died as well.
If the state enacted such a bill, it wouldn’t have made purchasing a gun any easier, nor would it have changed the legality on a federal level. At best, it would have stopped local law enforcement from enforcing federal law on people who already own and possess guns.
As of late 2024, no new legislation has been passed, and federal restrictions continue to apply to Maryland residents with medical cannabis cards. This means that gun ownership remains restricted for medical cannabis users under federal law.
Conclusion
Until federal laws change, Maryland medical cannabis users cannot legally own or purchase firearms. Even with efforts from state legislators, gun ownership for medical marijuana cardholders is still governed by federal law. Stay informed on any updates and consult professionals to understand your rights and responsibilities.
Stay Informed on Your Cannabis Rights With Elevate
At Elevate Holistics, we want MMJ patients to understand their right to access medicinal cannabis and the scope of all that comes along with it. If you own a firearm and are a qualifying patient, you should be aware that technically you are in violation of federal law. (We know, it’s a bummer.)
But, if anything changes regarding medical marijuana cards and gun laws in Maryland, we’ll be the first to let you know.
Elevate is an online clinic offering certifications with compassionate registered cannabis doctors. Medical cannabis patients can book same-day appointments and get certified from the convenience of their homes. In addition, we are a medical cannabis resource that partners with other industry experts to help make MMJ as easy and accessible as possible.
So, whether you’re curious about medical cannabis laws or cannabis as a whole, Elevate Holistics is here to provide you with all your canna-resources. If you’re interested in getting your own or renewing your Maryland medical card, use the scheduler below to get started.
Maryland Patient Resources:
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- Curious about how to get an MMJ card in MD? Here’s our step-by-step process.
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- Learn everything you need to know about cannabis cards in Maryland in our blog post.
