Medical Cannabis Legalization Bill Stalls in Kansas

The chairman of the Kansas Senate Federal Affairs Committee, state Sen. Rob Olson (R), told the Kansas City Star last week that while he believed the Legislature was getting closer to approving a medical cannabis bill, he does not expect it will be this year.

“You’ll see it in full effect in the next few years,” he said.

The House passed a version of the bill last year, but it stalled in the Senate. The chambers had convened a conference committee last Thursday to work on the bill but negotiators were unable to finish the legislation before the Legislature adjourned, although they could continue their efforts in May, the report says.

Under the legislation drafted by the committee, medical cannabis would be available to patients suffering from one of more than 20 qualifying conditions and allowed to obtain a 30-day supply with a purchase limit of three ounces for flower products – which would be capped at 35% THC. Physician recommendations would be valid for 90 days, after which they could be renewed for another 90 days.

The bill would provide licenses for cultivators, processors, laboratories, distributors, and retailers. Individuals would be barred from licenses if they’ve been convicted of a felony unless that conviction was expunged at least 10 years before the application is submitted. Counties would be allowed to enact local bans on the industry.

Under the measure, regulators would have to promulgate rules for the program by January 1, 2024, so even if lawmakers had approved the bill this session, patients would not see relief for at least a year and a half.