Cannabis remains criminalized on a federal level in the United States, though there are a growing number of states that have sought to establish their own rules surrounding the legality of the substance.

You can now find various states that have established their own legalized cannabis markets for either medicinal or recreational purposes.

There is still plenty of work to be done though, as many individuals are targeted and subjected to violence regularly by authorities who continue to police cannabis and keep up their efforts with the failed war on drugs.

There has been a growing trend toward legalization seen in the country, with states like Nevada, Oregon, Maine, and others, looking to adopt changes to their stance on marijuana.

However, what many cannabis users in the country might not be aware of is that guns and cannabis make a criminal combination. This means that medicinal marijuana patients need to choose between gun ownership or access to cannabis, because they aren't allowed to have both.

Cannabis is still prohibited federally and there is a federal law which stipulates that an individual cannot possess a gun legally if they also have a medical cannabis card. Those found violating the rule could face up to 10 yrs in jail.

Aside from it being a federally prohibited substance, critics also warn that they don't want to see guns and cannabis mix because too often they've seen cases of wrongdoing involving a combination of the two. But is it really anything compared to what we've also seen result from the wrongdoing carried out by those combining alcohol and driving?

There are many gun owners in the U.S. who have never and likely would never pose any threat with their weapon to fellow members in their community. And it's sad to assume otherwise simply because they might have an illness for which they use cannabis as a treatment. Even if every state went ahead and legalized cannabis, this criminal combination of guns and cannabis would still be a problem because cannabis remains federally criminalized.

There are some states that have moved to introduce legislation that makes it legal for people to both possess a medical cannabis card and own a gun, but that allegedly wouldn't protect them if they were arrested for a federal crime. Not only are they not able to own a gun but federal law also allegedly prohibits cannabis card owners from owning ammunition as well.

“They’re going to have to make a choice,.. They can have their guns or their marijuana, but not both.” - John T. Adams, president of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association.

Some of those who have both a cannabis card and own a gun, have said that they feel it's a violation of their Constitutional rights.

At the moment, it's said to be an issue that's left up to federal prosecutors and how they want to go ahead in dealing with the growing cannabis trend, the potential combination of someone having access to both cannabis and their legal firearm.

The ATF has previously warned that any American who is using cannabis, despite it being legalized in their state for recreational or medicinal purposes, is strictly prohibited from possessing any ammunition or firearms.

Sources:
http://wsbt.com/news/local/legally-guns-and-medical-marijuana-dont-mix
https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/can-a-medical-marijuana-patients-legally-own-a-gun
https://www.wmar2news.com/news/state/proposed-bill-would-allow-medical-marijuana-users-to-own-guns
http://business.financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/my-guns-or-my-ganja-firearm-owning-pot-fans-face-a-choice
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/my-guns-or-my-ganja-firearm-owning-pot-fans-face-n837631
https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/04/politics/marijuana-legalization-by-the-numbers/index.html
http://www.businessinsider.com/where-can-you-can-legally-smoke-weed-2018-1
https://www.vox.com/cards/marijuana-legalization/where-is-marijuana-legal
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/cannabis/marijuana-patients-guns-should-buy-soon-20180118.html