Medical Cannabis Bill Killed In Kansas: Total Ban Still Holds

Already deemed restrictive by advocates, the proposed medical marijuana pilot program slated for discussion in the Kansas Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee was shelved. This decision left Kansas residents who might benefit from medical cannabis without hope for legal access to treatment, reported Marijuana Moment. 
Despite several efforts, discussion of the bill has been postponed and won't be revisited until January 13, 2025.

During the hearing, supporters of the bill presented extensive and somewhat defensive arguments covering the security measures for the program, the treatment and handling of the products, and even the profiles of drivers tasked with the logistics. A poignant appeal came from retired Marine Lieutenant Michael Snyder, who advocated for veterans like himself who could potentially benefit from cannabis treatments for chronic conditions resulting from their service. Efforts were also made by Sam Jones, COO of Kansas Natural Remedies, along with other advocates who worked on drafting a bill that aimed to alleviate conservative concerns.

Outline Of The Bill

The bill in question was structured to establish the Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment as the overseeing authority of the pilot program for cultivating, processing, and distributing medical cannabis and related products within the state. It outlined stringent regulations, including the prohibition of home cultivation, a minimum age of 21 for patients, a 35 percent THC cap on all products, and a proposed 20 percent tax on revenue. Additionally, it limited the number of authorized vertically integrated cannabis operators to just four across the state.

However, despite numerous restrictions and specifications that only patients diagnosed with one of 16 predetermined conditions could participate, critics argued that the bill's ultimate coverage was overly broad. They contended that under the proposed guidelines, virtually any person in Kansas could qualify for a medical marijuana card if desired.

The final decision won't come till next year. After nearly two hours of deliberation, the committee decided to postpone the decision till next year. The hope for a more inclusive yet controlled framework for this restricted pilot program has thus been deferred, leaving several medical cannabis users in the State unprotected.