Supreme Court loosens law barring marijuana users from owning guns

The Supreme Court's June 18 ruling narrows the Gun Control Act by saying regular marijuana use alone is not enough to bar gun ownership. Ali Hemani, a U.S.-Pakistani dual citizen tied to Iran's Revolutionary Guard, told investigators in 2022 he possessed a Glock 9mm and used cannabis about every other day. Justice Neil Gorsuch called the decision narrow.

However, the ruling is limited and does not address broader bans or whether a particular use makes someone dangerous. The government argued the restriction remains constitutional because it applies only while drug use continues, and the decision does not overturn other tools to keep firearms from dangerous individuals.