A new bill filed in the Minnesota Senate would safeguard the firearm rights of medical marijuana patients.
Senate Bill 313, introduced by Senator Mark Koran (R), has been referred to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee for further consideration.
The proposed legislation would ensure that individuals who qualify as medical marijuana patients are not denied their Second Amendment rights solely because of their patient status. Specifically, the bill includes several key provisions:
- Firearm Rights Protection: Section 6 of the bill explicitly states that medical marijuana patients cannot be denied the right to purchase, own, possess, or carry firearms based solely on their participation in Minnesota’s medical cannabis program.
- Database Access Restrictions: The bill prohibits state and local agencies from accessing databases containing the identities of qualifying patients to approve or disapprove firearm-related rights.
- Information Safeguards: Agencies would also be barred from using information gathered from such databases for decisions related to firearm purchases, ownership, possession, or carrying.
- Patient Status Inquiries: Additionally, state and local agencies would be prevented from inquiring about a person’s status as a medical marijuana patient in connection with firearm-related determinations.
This legislation addresses concerns raised by patients and advocates who argue that medical marijuana use, authorized under state law, should not result in the loss of constitutional rights.
For the full text of SB 313, click here.
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