Government Says Medical Marijuana Patients Cannot Own Firearms

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has told all federally licensed firearms dealers that anyone who uses marijuana, including medical marijuana, is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

The letter was written by ATF Assistant Director Arthur Herbert, to give federal firearms licensees guidance on what to do if a customer said they were a medical marijuana user.

Advocates of medical marijuana and of guns rights were angered by the letter, according to USA Today. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have passed medical marijuana laws. The federal government classifies marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance, which is illegal for any use.