In his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden emphasized that no one should be incarcerated simply for using marijuana or having it on their record, reiterating his stance later on X (formerly Twitter). Despite this, his Justice Department maintains that cannabis consumers are so dangerous that they cannot be trusted with firearms even when sober, going as far as to label them as “lunatics” and violent felons. This conflicting message could pose a challenge for Biden as he seeks to appeal to young voters with his progressive views on marijuana.
Federal prosecutors in North Carolina recently defended the federal ban on gun possession by cannabis consumers in the case of United States v. Alston, arguing that marijuana users are categorically excluded from Second Amendment protections. The administration’s claim has been met with skepticism from judges, including Louise Flanagan, who dismissed a charge against Alston. Despite Alston’s criminal record, the argument that cannabis consumers are inherently dangerous is seen as flawed and unconstitutional by many.
The government’s assertion that marijuana users are not responsible enough to possess firearms is based on the belief that drug-induced changes in cognitive function and mood make them prone to mishandling weapons or committing crimes. They also suggest that cannabis consumers may resort to criminal activities to fund their drug habits, contributing to a culture of violence. However, these arguments fail to account for the fact that many marijuana users are law-abiding citizens who pose no threat to public safety.
While the Biden administration continues to push its narrow view of marijuana users in court, critics argue that this stance is not only discriminatory but also contradicts the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Second Amendment. By demonizing cannabis consumers and denying them their constitutional rights, the administration risks alienating a significant portion of the population and undermines its own credibility on drug policy.