Supreme Court Strikes Down Law Prohibiting Gun Ownership for Marijuana Users

The Supreme Court unanimously ruled on June 18, 2026, that a law banning 'habitual' marijuana users from owning firearms is overly broad and violates the Second Amendment. The case involved Ali Hemani, a Texas man charged with a felony after FBI agents found a handgun in his home during a raid, where he admitted to using marijuana regularly. Justice Neil Gorsuch, in the court's opinion, stated that the prosecution under this law improperly deprived individuals of their right to possess firearms in their homes. The court found that historical laws targeting substance abusers were too different from the current law to justify its application. Gorsuch emphasized that the government did not demonstrate that Hemani posed a danger to himself or others, as there were no allegations of addiction or threats associated with his marijuana use. The ruling also highlighted the federal government's changing stance on marijuana enforcement and legalization across various states.