Cannabis Investment Firm Attorney Running for Kansas U.S. Senate Seat

Barry Grissom, a former U.S. attorney who currently serves as corporate counsel for Nevada-based medical cannabis investment firm Electrum Partners, is running for a U.S. Senate seat in Kansas, the Kansas City Star reports. If elected, Grissom would end an 80-plus-year drought for Kansas Democrats in the Senate.

“My position on cannabis use, whether adult use or medical use I believe that’s something every state should have the right to decide. When I was the United States attorney, the federal prosecutor, I had what I believe was a unique perspective. Cannabis prohibition doesn’t work. I’m very pro-law enforcement. When we spend money going after folks in the cannabis business I think it’s a waste of taxpayer money.” – Grissom, to the Star

Last year, Grissom caught headlines in the state when he called cannabis’ Schedule I federal designation “absurd” – despite prosecuting cannabis crimes. During remarks at a conference held by the Missouri Cannabis Industry Association, Grissom referred to cannabis advocates as patriots standing up for liberty.

“I soon became a true believer that enforcement of cannabis laws was immoral,” he said at the conference during his keynote remarks, according to a Star report. The speech led to the group’s Associate Chairman Dan Viets to refer to Grissom as one of the most “outspoken, articulate and effective advocates” for legalization.

In May, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed the bill to legalize a low-THC medical cannabis program – Kansas had previously been just one of three states without any medical cannabis law on the books, either CBD or full plant.