Supreme Court Justices Skeptical of Trump DOJ's Defense of Cannabis Gun Ban

Key Takeaway

During oral arguments in US v. Hemani, most US Supreme Court justices appeared skeptical of the Trump administration's defense of the federal firearms ban for marijuana users. Justices from across the ideological spectrum questioned whether the ban has sufficient historical grounding under the court's 2022 Bruen framework, and several suggested the government's rationale could justify unconstitutional restrictions on other law-abiding groups. Observers noted that Justices Barrett, Gorsuch, and Jackson appeared particularly skeptical during the exchange. For cannabis operators watching the case, the tenor of argument suggests a reasonable probability the court will strike down or narrow the ban in its forthcoming decision, removing a major federal criminal exposure for industry workers.