Pennsylvania State Senator Dan Laughlin is advocating for a bill that would clarify the rights of medical marijuana users to own and carry firearms. The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 1146, aims to amend the state's Uniform Firearms Act to align with the legalization of marijuana.
Under the current law, all marijuana use is considered illegal, and even those with a valid medical marijuana card are prohibited from having a license to carry a firearm. Senator Laughlin's bill seeks to change this, stating that people who use medical marijuana should not be considered illegal users, thus allowing them to own and carry guns.
'Although marijuana remains illegal under federal law, we should be updating Pennsylvania's laws to ensure valid medical marijuana cardholders are not denied their rights,' Laughlin said.
However, some lawmakers argue that the issue lies at the federal level, where marijuana remains illegal. Despite this, Laughlin believes that the state law, which is rarely enforced, is a concern and needs to be addressed. The bill is currently under review at the Pennsylvania Capitol and has garnered significant attention.