Drugs & Guns Warning Angers MMJ Community

A letter from leaders of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in late September said medical marijuana patients should be banned from owning guns.

That declaration has enraged MMJ cardholders and business owners.

“I feel like they’re taking away my rights just because I have medical issues,” said Brandy Bowen, who has a card and owns a dispensary.

“It’s a security issue,” said Bowen. “Just because I have a red card and I’m a patient shouldn’t mean that I can’t carry a gun. That doesn’t mean I’m incompetent just because I’m in pain or have any medical issues.”

On the application for a gun permit an applicant is asked if he or she uses marijuana or any other drug. The ATF said by saying no, an medical marijuana card holder who’s filling out the paperwork is either on a controlled substance or lying on the application, which also breaks the law.

The ATF also said gun sellers could be punished if they knowingly sell to medical marijuana patients.

Bowen said her business has been under fire since opening in 2009. She sees this latest move by federal law enforcement as just another hurdle to overcome.

“Our industry has been very difficult from the very beginning,” said Bowen. “They come up with new rules and regulations for us all the time, and we do our best to follow them. It’s just really difficult.”