In a report recently released by Hawaii’s Department of the Attorney General, a significant correlation between firearm permit denials and medical marijuana use has come to light. The data reveals that current or former medical marijuana patients encountered substantial difficulty obtaining firearm permits throughout 2022.
Of the 540 firearm permit denials processed in 2022, a striking 40.9% (221) were attributed solely to the applicant being a medical marijuana patient, marking this group as the most affected by permit denials.
While the report did not provide in-depth insight into why medical marijuana use is seen as a disqualifying factor, it clarified that former patients could reapply for a firearm permit one year after the expiration of their medical marijuana card. This suggests that the disqualification for medical marijuana patients is not indefinite.
The report also highlighted another worrying aspect of firearm regulation in the state. In 2022, a total of six prohibited firearms, including three “assault pistols,” two short-barrel shotguns, and one short-barrel rifle, were confiscated by police firearm registration personnel. All of these confiscations occurred in Honolulu.
This notable trend underscores an ongoing legal conundrum — the crossroads of firearm restrictions and medical marijuana laws. As medical marijuana use gains wider acceptance and legality across the country, this juncture is likely to become a hotbed for potential policy and legal changes.
