Will Hawaiians Who Use Medical Pot Lose Their Right To Own A Gun?

HAWAII IS ONE of 29 states that allow medical use of marijuana.

- Jacob Sullum

It’s also the only state that requires registration of all firearms. If you are familiar with the criteria that bar people from owning guns under federal law, you can probably surmise what the conjunction of these two facts means for patients who use cannabis as a medicine, which Hawaii allows them to do only if they register with the state.

“Your medical marijuana use disqualifies you from ownership of firearms and ammunition,” Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard said in a November 13 letter received by about 30 people on Oahu. “If you currently own or have any firearms, you have 30 days upon receipt of this letter to voluntarily surrender your firearms, permit, and ammunition to the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) or otherwise transfer ownership.”