New Cannabis Law Has Gun Owners in Minnesota Facing Unexpected Consequences

Gun owners and prospective gun purchasers in Minnesota have received clarification from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives regarding the state's new recreational cannabis law.

The ATF's St. Paul Field Division states that the Federal Gun Control Act of 1968 forbids firearm or ammunition possession, transportation, or shipping by individuals who are known to use illicit substances. This restriction is described under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970.

Minnesota's recreational cannabis bill has been signed into law, but there's a catch - federal law still considers current cannabis users to be unlawful users of a controlled substance even if their state has legalized cannabis.

Jeff Reed, the ATF's Acting Special Agent in Charge of the St. Paul Field Division said, "Until marijuana is legalized federally, firearms owners and possessors should be mindful that it remains federally illegal to mix marijuana with firearms and ammunition."

Before purchasing firearms, the buyer must now declare whether or not they are an illegal cannabis user on the ATF Form 4473 during your transaction.

Back in 2011, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) sent a letter addressed to Federal Firearms Licensees to offer guidance following the relaxation of cannabis restrictions in some states.

This guidance emphasized that it is illegal to transfer firearms to individuals who have been identified as unlawful users of any controlled substance. The ATF stated this in a release, reminding the Federal Firearms Licensees to strictly abide by this law.

The letter for firearms licensees states that during a transaction if a buyer has a card allowing them to use and possess cannabis, the licensee has "reasonable cause to believe" that the buyer is an unlawful user of a controlled substance.

Gun owners and prospective gun purchasers in Minnesota have received crucial clarification from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) regarding the state's new recreational cannabis law. While Minnesota has legalized recreational cannabis, the ATF has emphasized that federal law still prohibits firearm possession, transportation, or shipping by individuals who are known to use illicit substances. Acting Special Agent in Charge of the St. Paul Field Division, Jeff Reed, reiterated that until marijuana is legalized federally, it remains illegal to mix marijuana with firearms and ammunition.

To comply with the law, buyers must now declare their status as illegal cannabis users on the ATF Form 4473 during firearm transactions. This reminder from the ATF underscores the ongoing conflict between state and federal regulations and the need for individuals to navigate this complex legal landscape responsibly.