Republican Sen. Michael Fagg made a compelling case for scheduling joint House and Senate hearings on options for developing medical marijuana legislation in advance of convening the 2025 Kansas Legislature.
Leaders of a new politically diverse coalition said Tuesday they were committed to supporting candidates for the Kansas Legislature dedicated to ending the state’s prohibition on recreational cannabis and to expunging criminal records tied to marijuana.
A new poll again shows Kansans broadly support legalizing marijuana for medicinal or recreational use, but it seems as unlikely as ever that lawmakers will launch a new cannabis industry.
Kansas is one of the few states that doesn’t offer legal access to marijuana, and one of just nine states that hasn’t expanded Medicaid. Kansas seniors will be lobbying lawmakers for both.
Kansas has seen all smoke and no fire on the cannabis front, despite efforts from Democrats who say the state is losing business to neighbors where marijuana is legalized.
Alejandro Rangel-Lopez says lawmakers who refuse to legalize medical marijuana are responsible for the needless suffering of Kansans. After two days of Senate hearings on proposed legislation, there appears to be little hope for change this year.
The medical marijuana debate has been a hard-fought issue for years, heating up as surrounding states passed some form of legalization. But despite several forms of marijuana legislation currently under discussion, advocates aren’t sure of success.
During a second round of testimony about medical marijuana, opponents spoke of cannabis-induced suicides, marijuana poisoning and spiking crime rates, in what some have called a blatant attempt at halting the legislation.
The future of marijuana in Kansas is still dubious. Sen. Mike Thompson said he wasn’t willing to rush forward with any form of marijuana legislation.
Supported by dozens of his fellow representatives, Rep. Vic Miller introduced a cannabis amnesty bill that would essentially decriminalize marijuana statewide.
