The Kansas legislature has stalled a bill to legalize medical cannabis. But, the governor is asking the public to contact their representatives and demand that they act “this session.”
Gov. Laura Kelly (D), a long-standing advocate for cannabis reform, stated on Thursday that she was “disappointed” that some legislators said they didn’t want to legalize medical marijuana this year. This effectively turned their backs upon veterans and people with chronic pain or seizure disorders.
She said, “If they get their wish, for yet another Year thousands of Kansans would be forced to choose between living under the law or suffering without pain.” “I urge Kansans to contact their state legislators to tell them to legalize marijuana in this session.”
If they succeed, thousands more Kansans will have to decide between living in pain or breaking the law for another year. I urge Kansans to contact their state legislators to ask them to legalize medical cannabis this session. (2/2)
— Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly March 16, 2023
Kelly also stated in 2021 that Kelly would “enlist the efforts of Kansasans who really want this” to pressurize their legislators to pass the reform .
The Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee held several hearings on a medical cannabis bill this month, including two this Week. The panel agreed to submit the legislation after Thursday’s meeting.
Chairman Mike Thompson (R), stated that lawmakers have “bigger fish” and indicated that he doesn’t want to take the proposal back before the end 2023 session.
On Thursday, Kansas Democrats stated that “sky isn’t falling” in states with legalized and well-regulated medical cannabis.
In states that have legalized and well-regulated medical cannabis, the sky isn’t falling.
All Kansans and particularly Kansas veterans deserve thoughtful, forward-thinking laws to improve their quality life. https://t.co/bjcb9XMWjPKansas Dems (@KansasDems March 17, 2023
The party stated that all Kansans and particularly Kansas veterans deserve compassionate, forward-thinking legislation that improves their quality of living.
A medical cannabis bill was passed in 2021 by the House, but it was blocked by the Senate.
Senator Ty Masterson (R) stated previously that he expects bills and hearings this year on the issue. A spokesperson for the senator said that the senator understood that perspectives on medical marijuana are “maturing”, but that it is not a priority.
The governor stated that legalizing medical marijuana is a commonsense solution to improving health care in Kansas in her January State of the State address.
She gave an example of , a terminally ill patient whose hospital room was searched by police. He was then given a later-rescinded summons to appear in court for possession of cannabis vape and extract he was using to treat severe pain. Since then, the man has passed away.
During this time, the members of the Special Committee on Medical Marijuana met for their last meeting in December and worked on legislation for the 2023 session.
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As part of their work, the panel visited a Missouri cannabis cultivation facility in late 2013. They discussed a wide range of issues they have been discussing with officials, experts, and others over recent months.
The fact that this session’s Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee chair, Sen. Robert Olsen (R), was replaced by this session’s chair by the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee which has jurisdiction over this bill and the introduction of this new bill, further complicates efforts to pass reform.
Additionally, Rep. John Barker (R), a Republican who was chair of the House Federal and State Affairs Committee and worked on the issue, lost his primary bid last ye and is now out of the legislature.
Jason Probst (D), Assistant Minority Leader (D), and Tom Sawyer (D), the then-House Minority Leader, stated last year that they wanted to let the voters decide whether or not legalization of medical and adult-use marijuana within the state.
For her part, the governor had previously proposed a separate measure that would legalize cannabis and use the revenue to expand Medicaid. Rep. Brandon Woodard (D), filed the measure for the governor.
Kelly stated that her administration ” is focused on legalizing medical cannabis to ensure Kansans with severe illness don’t have to suffer” following President Joe Biden’s announcement about pardoning federal marijuana possession offenders and imploring governors.
She said that they would continue to consider all requests for clemency or pardon based on a thorough and comprehensive review of each case.
In 2020, the governor stated that she would not personally advocate for adult-use legalization but she would not rule out signing the reform into Law if it came to her desk.
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Photo by Mike Latimer.
The post After Kansas Medical Marijuana Bill Stalls in Senate, Governor Urges the Public to Pressure Lawmakers for Action originally appeared on Marijuana Moment.
