Kansas Legislature Introduces Bills to Legalize Medical and Recreational Marijuana
The Kansas Legislature has introduced two bills aimed at legalizing medical and recreational cannabis in the state. Senate Bill 294, introduced last week, would allow for the processing, distribution, and sale of medical marijuana, as well as its use by patients with specific medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s, autism, cancer, epilepsy, Parkinson’s, and PTSD.
Under the proposed bill, patients would need to apply for medical marijuana cards, similar to Oklahoma’s system. Additionally, the bill would prohibit landlords from prohibiting the use of cannabis on their property, and parents would not be denied visitation rights or custody due to marijuana use.
The bill also includes provisions for penalties and enforcement, outlining the rules and regulations for the cultivation, processing, and sale of medical marijuana. If passed, Kansas would join several other states in legalizing medical marijuana, including Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas.
The introduction of these bills comes as public support for marijuana legalization continues to grow across the country. In Kansas, a 2020 survey found that 62% of respondents supported legalizing marijuana for recreational use, while 83% supported legalizing it for medical use.
The bills are currently being reviewed by the Kansas Legislature, and it is unclear when or if they will be voted on. However, if passed, the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana in Kansas could bring in significant revenue and create new jobs in the state’s growing cannabis industry.
