By Dylan Lysen, KCUR
Another new poll shows Kansans support the legalization of marijuana for medical or recreational purposes. However, it is unlikely that lawmakers will create a new cannabis sector.
Medical marijuana advocates and legislators point the finger at the Republican leadership of the Kansas Senate.
Republican Sen. Rob Olson who conducted Statehouse hearings on a medical cannabis bill last year said Senate President Ty Masterson and Senate Majority leader Larry Alley both don’t want the bill to pass.
Olson stated that “the majority of the state does want medical marijuana” and “I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t pass a law.”
Fort Hays State University’s Kansas Speaks 2023 survey revealed that 67 percent Kansans supported legalizing recreational marijuana to people older than 21. In recent years, the annual survey had similar results.
The survey also showed that nearly 64 percent Kansans are willing to vote for a candidate supporting the legalization of medical marijuana.
Kansas is one of only 12 states that prohibits all marijuana use. Three of Kansas’ four neighbors, Colorado, Missouri, and Oklahoma, have legalized medical or recreational marijuana.
Cheryl Kumberg is the President of Kansas Cannabis Coalition and she continues to promote medical marijuana in Kansas. The Senate leadership has also sabotaged the efforts of her organization.
She said that leaders seem to be more concerned about people getting high from THC, the intoxicating chemical found in weed, than they are with the potential benefits for health.
Kumberg stated that “we get support from a number of legislators, but the ones in power do not support it for various reasons and don’t allow it to go forward.”
Alley and Masterson has not responded to any requests for comments.
Masterson has said in the past that he believes there are valid reasons to legalize medical marijuana. However, the state’s laws must be tailored specifically for these uses.
He said, “You don’t believe that we have so many 18-year olds with glaucoma who need to smoke marijuana for medical benefits,” in 2021. “That’s recreational.”
Olson claimed that Masterson had removed him from his position as chairman of the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee soon after he conducted hearings on the medical marijuana bill. Olson believes that it was a retaliatory act.
Masterson appointed Republican Senator Mike Thompson to chair the committee. He then stopped a bill from moving out of the Committee, effectively ending medical marijuana’s chances for another year.
Kumberg said that actions such as these show Republican leaders trying to prevent the bill from becoming a law. She says Kansans need to exert pressure on legislators because in 2024, every seat in the Kansas Legislature is up for election.
Kumberg stated that “they need to understand that they are working for the people in Kansas” and “they’ve been chosen to represent their constituencies, not their own personal bias.”
The story first appeared in the Kansas News Service . This collaboration between KCUR and Kansas Public Radio was a part of the Kansas News Service .
Kansas Silver Haired Legislature passes medical marijuana legalization resolution
Photo by Philip Steffan.
The post Kansas Republican who held medical marijuana hearing says Senate president removed him as committee chair in retaliation first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
