Nearly 70% Of Kansans Support Cannabis Legalization, Prioritize Pro-MMJ Candidates

The majority of Kansas residents support the legalization of recreational marijuana for adults over 21, a new survey conducted by Fort Hays State University (FHSU) shows. The support this fall grew to 67.2% from 61% three years ago.

Per the FSHU survey, which questioned 485 adult Kansans from Sept. 20 to Oct.10, only 16.9% are against cannabis legalization. This compares to stronger opposition back in 2017 when 41% of Kansas opposed the reform.

Despite support, Kansas is still one of only four states in the U.S. where marijuana is fully illegal. The remaining three are Idaho, South Carolina and Wyoming. 

The research also revealed that a majority of voters would choose to support a candidate based on their positions on cannabis reform. As many as 63.6% were “highly” or “somewhat” likely to vote for a candidate who supports medical marijuana legalization as they decided who to vote to represent them in the Kansas Legislature. Those who were “unlikely” to vote for a candidate based on their support for medical marijuana accounted for 14.8%.

Cannabis In Kansas Recent Updates

Last year, the Wichita City Council green-lighted marijuana possession within the city limits, making the largest city in Kansas the least restrictive on cannabis possession statewide.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) delivered her State of the State address this January, in which she called for the legalization of medical marijuana and said that the current state law on cannabis is “ridiculous.”

This was followed by Kansas House Democrats’ announcement of a plan to continue to push for the regulation and taxation of cannabis for both recreational and medical purposes.

In June, Kelly stated that she would not exercise her executive powers to permit medical marijuana possession or decriminalize cannabis in the state. While some states have employed executive orders to allow limited possession, Kelly explained that Kansas law does not grant her the authority to take similar action.

In August, House Minority Whip Stephanie Sawyer Clayton argued that cannabis legalization won’t happen any time soon as there is strong bipartisan opposition. Clayton targeted Ty Masterson, a Republican and former senate president who remains "strongly against" legalizing cannabis.

See Also: It's Medically Illogical To Treat PTSD With Pot, Cannabis Legalization Equals Communism Say Kansas Opponents

This was followed by another public support for the reform from Gov. Kelly, who tweeted the following:

Three out of the four states surrounding Kansas have legalized medical marijuana. Legalizing medical marijuana would boost our economy and provide relief to Kansans suffering with severe illnesses.https://t.co/F3FKi9nv6H

— Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) August 16, 2023

Will the growing support for cannabis reform among the state residents make the difference, it remains to be seen. 

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