The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2016 legalized the medicinal use of marijuana in Arkansas, but the amendment to Arkansas constitution came with consequences. Under federal law, it is still illegal to own firearms while in possession of marijuana, medicinal or otherwise.

Furthermore, Arkansans issued a medical marijuana card are at risk for losing their concealed carry permits.

Camden Police chief Boyd Woody said, “The state says that now people can be issued a medical marijuana card to use medical marijuna, but there is still federal law that says you can’t have a combination of the two (firearms and marijuana). There’s a federal statute. You can’t have both. Even if the state will issue you one or the other, federal law says you can’t.”

“The Arkansas state police told me if we stop someone and they have a medical marijuana card and concealed carry, we aren’t to arrest them, but we are to provide all the information to the Arkansas state police and they are more than likely going to revoke their concealed carry.”

Federal background checks also prevent medical marijuana users from buying firearms

A question on forms asks, “e. Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?

“Warning: The use or possession of marijuana remains unlawful under Federal law regardless of whether it has been legalized or decriminalized for medicinal or recreational purposes in the state where you reside.”

However, a bill introduced by West Virginian Representative Alexander X. Mooney hopes to change that.

The bill states, “To amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to the sale, purchase, shipment, receipt, or possession of a firearm or ammunition by a user of medical marijuana, and for other purposes.

“Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

“SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

“This Act may be cited as the’Second Amendment Protection Act’.”

“SEC. 2. EXEMPTIONS FOR MEDICAL MARIHAUNA (Sic) USE FROM GROUNDS FOR FIREARM AND AMMUNITION PROHIBITIONS.

“(a) Exemption For Medical Marihuana.—Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—

“(1) in subsection (d)(3), by inserting before the semicolon the following: “(except that an individual shall not be treated as an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance based on the individual using marihuana for a medical purpose in accordance with State law)”; and

“(2) in subsection (g)(3), by inserting before the semicolon the following: “(except that an individual shall not be treated as an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance based on the individual using marihuana for a medical purpose in accordance with State law)”.

“The bill is currently referred to the subcommittee on crime, terrorism and homeland security.”