Scoot: Marijuana and gun ownership
Bobbi Jo Floyd of Richland, Washington is an authorized marijuana patient and a proponent for medical pot – but Bobbi is also a Republican who believes in gun ownership.
In January, Bobbi Jo Floyd applied for a concealed pistol license with the local police station. She answered all the questions properly and when asked “Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana?” she answered “no.” As an authorized marijuana patient in a state where medicinal pot is legal, she believed “no” was the answer that applied to her.
An employee at the police station recognized her and knew that she was a marijuana patient. She was then asked to provide her medical marijuana authorization card. Feeling that everything she was doing was legal, Bobbi complied.
The Richland Police Chief decided that under federal law, Bobbi Jo Floyd was not eligible for the concealed pistol permit and her request was denied.
In June, an amendment was offered in the U.S. Senate that would prohibit the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from targeting citizens who have been legally authorized to use medicinal marijuana in states where it is legal.
The issue is complicated because as states legalize the medicinal and recreational use of pot, it is still a controlled substance that is illegal on the federal level.
Under President Obama, the Justice Department appears to be adopting a policy that respects state’s rights on the marijuana issue. But beyond that legal conflict, the case of an authorized user of medical marijuana being denied a concealed carry license raises the question of whether smoking pot renders an individual incapable of owning a gun.
Any suggestion that a person who smokes pot should not be allowed to own a gun quickly brings up the question of whether a person who drinks whiskey is safe owning a gun.
I do not smoke pot and will not become a consumer of pot if it becomes legal in my states – but in my life – I have witnessed more mood swings with a tendency to become violent with those who consume alcohol than marijuana.
Hysteria over the effects of marijuana still seems to reach back to the documentary, “Reefer Madness,” which was produced to demonstrate the evil effects of pot on an individual. However, pot smokers in the movie displayed extremely exaggerated behavior, including hallucinations and a desire to commit acts of violence. “Reefer Madness” was essentially a propaganda film that in the context of the world today is sheer comedy!
If users of marijuana should not own guns – then I suggest an extensive study be conducted on whether or not those who consume high-potent energy drinks should own guns!
Tags :
Locations : Washington
People : Bobbi Jo Floyd, Obama
Locations : Washington
People : Bobbi Jo Floyd, Obama
Back To Blog
<< Previous Post
Scoot: Marijuana and gun ownership
No comments:
Post a Comment