Poll: Nearly 70% of Kansans Back Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization

Nearly 70% of Kansans support adult-use cannabis legalization, according to the Kansas Speaks survey conducted by Fort Hays State University. The survey found 67.2% backed the reforms with 16.9% opposed.  

The survey also found a majority – 63.6% – of respondents were “highly” or “somewhat” likely to vote for a candidate who supported medical cannabis legalization as they decided who to vote for to represent them in the state legislature; 14.8% said they would “unlikely” vote for a candidate who backed the reforms. 

Adult-use legalization was backed by a majority of Kansans of all ages, although narrowly, including 67.8% of those polled aged 18-34; 76.4% of those 45-44 years old; 67.3% of those 45-64; and 59.1% of those 65-and-older. A majority of Republicans (60%) also supported adult-use legalization in the state, along with 76.1% of independents, and 72.7% of Democrats.

In March, the state Senate tabled a medical cannabis legalization bill and the state remains one of just four where cannabis remains outlawed for any purpose. The reforms have the support of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly who said she was “disappointed that some legislators are saying they don’t want to move forward with legalizing medical marijuana this year. She added that the decision to table the bill was lawmakers “effectively turning their backs on our veterans and those with chronic pain and seizure disorders.”

The House passed a medical cannabis bill in 2021, but the measure didn’t receive a committee vote in the Senate.