Kansas Senate Kills Bill to Legalize Medical Marijuana in 2024
Attention all Kansas hipsters! The state Senate has just crushed our hopes of legalizing medical marijuana in 2024. That’s right, the proposal to allow the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes has been blocked by the Senate, leaving Kansas as one of the few states that still hasn’t jumped on the medical weed bandwagon.
Supporters and Opponents Clash Over Medical Marijuana Bill
Last month, a Kansas Senate committee voted to table the proposal, Senate Bill 135, after hearing arguments from both sides. But on Friday, an attempt to revive the bill and bring it to the floor for debate was shut down by a vote of 12-25. Looks like the opposition has won this round.
Kansas Senate Also Rejects Medicaid Expansion
In addition to crushing our dreams of medical marijuana, the Kansas Senate also failed to pass a bill to expand Medicaid coverage in the state. This is a missed opportunity for Kansas to take advantage of federal funding under the Affordable Care Act, which has been adopted by 40 other states and the District of Columbia. State Senator John Doll, who voted for both measures, expressed disappointment in his state’s reluctance to follow the lead of the rest of the country.
What Could Have Been: Details of the Medical Marijuana Bill
Had the bill been approved, it would have allowed patients with certain qualifying conditions to use cannabis for medicinal purposes. These conditions include cancer, epilepsy, spinal cord injuries, and chronic pain. Patients would need a recommendation from their doctor and a state identification card, which would cost $50. They would also have to pay a 10% excise tax on their medical marijuana purchases. The bill also outlined regulations for cultivation, processing, distribution, and sale of medical cannabis, with four different state agencies responsible for oversight.
Opponents Cite Oklahoma’s Troubles with Medical Marijuana
Those against the bill pointed to the issues that have arisen in neighboring Oklahoma since the state legalized medical marijuana in 2018. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond and other Republican officials have expressed concerns about the loose regulations in their state’s medical marijuana law, which they say has led to organized crime and illegal distribution to other states.
Supporters Stand by the Benefits of Medical Marijuana
But Cheryl Kumberg, a registered nurse and president of the Kansas Cannabis Coalition, argues that Oklahoma’s problems are a result of their legalization process, not the use of medical marijuana itself. She believes that legalizing medical marijuana in Kansas would bring relief to patients suffering from various medical conditions and generate revenue for the state.
Kansas Stuck in the Past, Says Senator
State Senator Doll, who voted for the medical marijuana bill, expressed frustration with Kansas’ reluctance to join the majority of states in legalizing medical marijuana. “We’re behind the times,” he said after the Senate votes on Friday. Looks like Kansas still has some catching up to do.
