New legislation to establish a comprehensive medical cannabis program in Kansas was introduced last week.
Kansas is one of the few remaining US states without a medical cannabis program. While multiple attempts have been made to get one over the line, including last year, they have all been thwarted – a source of great consternation for Governor Laura Kelly.
A fresh attempt is under way with the introduction of SB 294 last week, which would authorize the cultivation, processing, distribution, sale and use of medical cannabis and derived products. SB 294 was referred to the Committee on Federal and State Affairs last Friday.
Among the qualifying conditions under SB 294 are cancer, dementia and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. At more than 100 pages, SB 294 is a hefty document with a lot for lawmakers to consider. The Bill is based on revisions to a previous Senate bill, but also incorporating feedback from multiple stakeholders.
The request for the introduction of the legislation came from Norine Spears on behalf of Kansas Cannabis Coalition, Inc., Cannabis Justice Coalition and Kansas Cannabis Chamber of Commerce. Commenting on its introduction, Kansas Cannabis Coalition said:
“Although not perfect, it represents a deliberate effort to align with the conservative principles of our legislators, serving as a foundational starting point.”
Support among the state’s voters for legalising medicinal cannabis remains strong. In Fort Hays State University’s Docking Institute of Public Affairs’ most recent Kansas Speaks Survey, support for legalizing medical marijuana was at 72.9% of respondents, with 12% opposing.
Bordered by Nebraska in the north, Missouri in the east, Oklahoma in the south and Colorado in the west; Kansas finds itself totally surrounded by states with (or soon to have) programs in place. The only other US state without any form of marijuana legalization is Idaho.
NORML is encouraging Kansas resident to send this letter to urge lawmakers to support SB 294.
“Passage of this legislation provides qualified patients state-sanctioned access to a safe, effective, and proven therapeutic option that is objectively safer than the litany of pharmaceutical drugs it could replace,” says the organization. “A patient’s treatment options should not be limited by the government, but rather, they should be determined in confidence between a patient and their doctor.”
