Ohio is one of the states that have legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes. And with this legalization, marijuana users who get a medical card are often left wondering if they can legally own or purchase a gun. In Ohio, owning a gun and having a medical card can seem like a fine line to walk, but with this guide, you’ll have all the information needed to make an informed decision.
Current Ohio gun laws
The short answer is no. Despite Ohio’s medical marijuana program and the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution’s right to bear arms, having a medical card for marijuana makes it illegal to own, purchase, or possess a firearm or ammunition under federal law. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) has been clear on this issue as federal law classifies marijuana as a controlled substance and prohibits drug users from owning firearms.
Moreover, when filling out the ATF Form 4473, commonly referred to as the gun-purchase background check application, buyers must answer the marijuana drug-usage question with a plain and simple ‘no.’ Thus, answering ‘yes’ to the ATF questionnaire, means falsely representing yourself that can have serious legal consequences.
Ohio cannabis laws 2023
It’s worth noting that Ohio has legalized medical marijuana for qualified patients but hasn’t legalized the use of recreational marijuana. Possessing marijuana without a medical card may lead to criminal prosecution under Ohio law and there are still numerous restrictions as regards its use with its use carrying penalties. Keeping a firearm in the same location where you store the medical marijuana or paraphernalia can lead to serious criminal charges on the federal level.
The penalty for owning a gun and having a medical card may result in a felony conviction in Ohio and could negatively impact your life in many ways. Losing your gun rights by possessing a medical card for marijuana can have severe and long-lasting consequences, such as being denied employment that requires a background check, including law enforcement, government jobs, and other federally licensed jobs, as well as impacting your social status and taxation.
Conclusion
The Federal Gun Control Act of 1968 makes it illegal for any person who is a user of or addicted to marijuana, regardless of whether it is legal under state law, to possess firearms or ammunition. This means that despite the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes in Ohio, it is still illegal to own a firearm or ammunition if you have a medical card for marijuana. Gun owners and medical marijuana consumers should be aware of this restriction and know how it could impact their lives. In short, if you’re a medical cardholder, stay away from firearms and ammunition if you don’t want to end up breaking the law.