ATF Updating Firearm Transaction Forms After Medical Cannabis Rescheduling

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) has released a new draft Firearms Transaction Record form that includes an updated question related to illicit drug use. 

The new form comes weeks after the federal government moved medical cannabis from Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to Schedule III. 

The section related to illegal reads, “I am not (eic) an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug or any other controlled substance. (Warning: You can be an unlawful user under federal law, even if your possession is legal under state law. Federal law does not permit the use or possession of marijuana for recreational purposes.)”  

The previous form acknowledged that states have legalized cannabis for both medical and adult use; however, the form read “Warning: The use of 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.” 

Last week, the ATF posted the proposed form changes to the Federal Register for public comments. Comments on the updated form will be accepted until July 7.