I’m told it has all these conservative features.” It’s said to have all these conservative features .”
By Time Carpenter, Kansas Reflector
Silas Miller, a Wichita Democrat and member of the Kansas House of Representatives, was quietly going through the motions to pass a bill that would ensure the state’s controlled substance list was in compliance with federal law. Then Silas Miller proposed an amendement to remove marijuana from the list.
Miller’s campaign to remove cannabis from the Schedule I drugs list, along with heroin and cocaine, was met by a flurry of enthusiasm in the House Chamber. Republicans tried to undermine Miller’s proposal by claiming that it was contrary to law enforcement views and, more importantly, an early maneuver, given the work being done in the Kansas Senate for a medical cannabis pilot program.
House Speaker Dan Hawkins said that the House had done its part in the marijuana debate by passing in 2021 a bill which would have created a highly-regulated medical cannabis system for Kansas. Senate Republicans decided at the time to not address the House bill. Hawkins, however, said that there were signs of movement in the Senate on an alternative.
Hawkins stated, “I believe they are getting close and we will have our chance.”
Hawkins’ amendment was rejected by the House 41-80. The House then approved the controlled substance bill 120-0.
In an interview on Wednesday, Senate President Ty Masterson stated that a bill will be introduced soon to allow for a pilot program in the state distributing medicinal cannabis. the public’s attitude towards marijuana has shifted. Kansas polls showed that a majority supported both medical and recreational marijuana.
Missouri and Colorado have recreational marijuana systems in place, while Oklahoma sells medical cannabis. The U-shaped bowl created by these Midwest states placed thousands of Kansans within easy driving distance of dispensaries located outside of state.
Masterson, a Republican from Andover, said: “A bill is being drafted and should be presented here within the next two weeks.” I’m told that it has a lot of conservative features. It’s likely that we will hear it. Look at the contents. “And, see what we do next.”
Masterson stated that a pilot program had an advantage because it is easier to end than to repeal the law establishing a medical marijuana industry.
What I would like to know is, can it be prescribed for a real medical need and issued? He said he wanted to see more legitimate and less illegitimate uses of the drug.
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, the Democratic Governor of Kansas, has repeatedly endorsed medical marijuana legislation but cautioned that Kansas may not be ready for recreational weed.
“There will be a Bill”
Michael O’Donnell is a former Republican state senator who worked on the development of a Senate Medical Marijuana Bill for Kansas Natural Remedies, a Wichita-based organization. He said that the bill had undergone several iterations.
According to a new version, the pilot program for medical cannabis would launch in late 2024. Kansas Department of Health and Environment will oversee a program where one to four “medical cannabis operators” would be in charge of vertically integrated companies that are responsible for the cultivation, processing and packaging of medical marijuana, as well as distribution of cannabis patches, ointments and extractions.
Kansas marijuana products would be available for adults who have profound medical conditions, such as cancer, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. Parkinson’s, sickle-cell anemia, traumatic head injury, and post-traumatic anxiety disorder.
The bill would have distributed the medical cannabis to those with a doctor’s certificate through a network of delivery hubs. The bill would have placed Wichita State University as the lead for cannabis research and testing during the pilot program, which was to last until 2032.
O’Donnell, however, said that the provisions relating to the WSU and hub would be removed from the new draft bill.
O’Donnell, echoing Senator President McConnell, said “It’s being worked on.” “It is not dead this year. “There will be a law.”
House Minority leader Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat said he had not reviewed drafts for the medical marijuana bill in progress but he was not convinced a pilot program was needed given the experience of dozens states. Missouri and Colorado are two of the 24 states that have recreational marijuana laws. Oklahoma, Colorado and other states only have medical marijuana programs. However, the standards that are woven into these laws can range from lax to strict.
Miller stated, “I am a strong supporter of medicinal marijuana.” At least, it’s an attempt.
Rep. Blake Carpenter successfully shepherded through the House a bipartisan medical cannabis bill in 2021 during a 4-hour debate. Derby Republican Rep. Blake Carpenter, who had been persuaded by constituents to support a medical marijuana bill, explained that Senate Bill 158 allowed patients with chronic illnesses, as confirmed by a doctor, to purchase cannabis in the form of edibles, oils, or patches, rather than smoking or vaporizing.
The 120-page bill had established a regulatory structure and prohibited the consumption of medical cannabis in the workplace. The bill would have allowed counties to opt out from the medical marijuana business. The bill was passed by the House 79-42, but it never made it to the Senate.
Carpenter told reporters that he had heard Statehouse rumor about an upcoming Senate bill. It’s not coming from the House. “We did our work in 2021.”
He suggested that Kansas licenses for medicinal marijuana could be distributed through a random lottery among eligible applicants, so that there would be no doubt about fairness.
Tolerant
Olivia Hayse who represents the Libertarian Party of Kansas has closely followed the slow progress of marijuana legislation at Topeka. She said that some supporters of medical cannabis use would be disappointed with the Senate bill. She said that some advocates for medical use of cannabis would be disappointed by the Senate bill.
She stated that people with mental disorders and medical conditions could benefit from cannabinoids. She said that the substance could be helpful for those suffering from nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. Cannabis products have been shown to provide clinically significant relief for adults suffering from chronic pain.
“I find this pilot program to be limiting.” Hayse stated that we are reinventing the wheel when it doesn’t have to be. “I am at a point where I would be content if any patient got the relief they needed. I’m more willing to accept a flawed bill that can be improved than to keep people from getting treatment.
Rep. Brenda Landwehr of Wichita, a Republican who served in the House for about 25 years, said that she could not support medical marijuana legislation. She voted against the measure passed by the House in 2021, and opposed Rep. Silas Miller’s motion last week to remove marijuana’s Schedule I listing, which is reserved for substances with no recognized medical benefit.
Landwehr stated, “We won’t budge on this issue with the Senate.” “Don’t make Kansas into the Wild West.”
This article was originally published by Kansas Reflector.
Virginia Legislature passes Marijuana Sales Bill and sends proposal to Governor’s desk
The article Kansas Medical Marijuana Bill to be filed soon, GOP Senate president says first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
