The Eleventh Circuit’s ruling in Cooper v. Garland is a win for liberty, the Constitution, and the people of Florida. At stake was whether law-abiding Floridians in the medical marijuana program could be stripped of their Second Amendment rights simply for following state law and responsibly treating their conditions.

The court rightly recognized that medical marijuana patients are not felons or dangerous individuals, and the federal government failed to justify trampling their rights. Floridians should never be forced to choose between their health and their right to self-defense.

This case is bigger than just one issue. It underscores that our rights are not privileges doled out by bureaucrats in Washington, but natural rights that government is bound to respect. The ruling affirms both the sovereignty of Florida’s voters in establishing medical marijuana laws and the enduring strength of the Second Amendment.

I applaud this decision as a step toward restoring freedom and curbing federal overreach. Liberty belongs to the people, and it must be defended at every turn.

— Matt Johnson, Chair

Libertarian Party of Florida