Mentioned in a recently blog that in many states attorneys could have an ethics violation for giving advice to set up a business that “legally” sells marijuana in a state because federal law prohibits the use of marijuana. With the election that just finished 28 states now permit the use in one form or another of marijuana.
Was reading a recent article about an individual in Alaska, which now permits the use of marijuana, that was completing the Federal Firearms Application for purchasing a gun. She was upset to find that question (11 e.) asks:
“e. Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?”
So even if you are in a state that permits the use of marijuana, this being a federal application and legally use marijuana under state law, it is illegal under federal law. Likely many attorneys filling out their initial application for a bar license, they could be tripped up by the same question. Dentists and accountants may have similar issues when applying to the state for licenses.