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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)– Kentucky lawmakers are pushing for a change to a federal law that makes it illegal for medical marijuana patients to own a gun.
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Medical marijuana became legal in Kentucky on Jan. 1, making it the 38th state to legalize the substance for medical use. However, federal law still classifies marijuana as an illegal controlled substance. Under the Gun Control Act of 1968, using marijuana — even for medical purposes — prohibits you from legally owning firearms.
Last week, Democratic Louisville Sen. David Yates and Republican Sen. Stephen West introduced a resolution urging Congress to amend the Gun Control Act to allow medical marijuana users to maintain their gun rights.
Yates said he knows people personally affected by the law, including a friend who was hesitant to obtain a medical marijuana card for fear of losing their gun rights.
“They very much want to have their firearm,” Yates said.
The resolution will not directly change federal law, because that is up to congress. Instead, it calls on Kentucky’s federal lawmakers, like U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, and Rep. Morgan McGarvey, to introduce legislation that would amend the Gun Control Act.
“By passing resolutions, it sends a message,” Yates said. “It lets them know where their constituents stand.”
Yates believes the resolution is gaining bipartisan support because it aligns with individual rights and personal freedom. While some states have enacted state-level protections for medical marijuana users who own guns, federal law still overrides state law.
“I think it’s time for Congress and the Senate to act,” Yates said. “We’ll see what happens in this new session.”
Yates expects the resolution to pass this legislative session. He hopes it will encourage federal lawmakers to take action.
WDRB News reached out to several of Kentucky’s federal lawmakers to ask if they will introduce a bill to amend the Gun Control Act, or if the resolution passing would urge them to do so, but has not yet received a response.
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”}]] Federal law makes it illegal to own a gun and use medical marijuana at the same time, but two Kentucky senators are pushing a bipartisan resolution. Read More
