October 2006: Guns and Medical Marijuana

If at all possible, always avoid growing or storing medical marijuana in the same structure or in the vicinity of where firearms are kept. If charged with medical marijuana possession or sales, it can often be a challenge to defend oneself. However, if you add guns to the mix, the stakes are significantly increased.

Typically, if firearms are found at the scene of a criminal investigation, and if someone is charged and eventually convicted, their sentence can be dramatically increased. If someone is convicted under federal law of charges involving medical marijuana, and it can be shown that a gun was merely present during the "crime," the sentence will be a minimum of 5 years. If a gun is brandished during a federal "crime" related to medical marijuana, the sentence will be a minimum of 7 years, and if a gun is discharged, the sentence will be a minimum of 10 years.

ASA strongly advises that if you are a medical marijuana patient or provider, do not carry or keep firearms on your property or in your vehicle.

Just leave the firearms at your mom's house and you'll be much happier!