Kansas

Cannabis advocates in Kansas announced they have formed the Cannabis Justice Coalition, which will support candidates for local office who support cannabis legalization and the expunging of cannabis criminal records.

Kansas lawmakers in a Senate committee tabled this year’s medical cannabis legalization proposal, effectively killing it until next January.

Workers at the Home State Dispensary in Kansas City, Missouri voted this week to join the Teamsters Local 955, making them the first cannabis workers in the city to unionize.

Recent polling found that nearly 70% of Kansans support the legalization of adult-use cannabis, including 60% of Republican voters, 72.7% of Democratic voters, and 76.1% of independents.

The number of Kansas farmers who are licensed to grow hemp has fallen from more than 200 in 2019 to just 41 this year.

Kansas senators have tabled a medical cannabis legalization proposal in committee, likely killing the bill for the session.

A Kansas proposal would aid individuals with cannabis-related convictions by expunging charges and releasing anyone still serving probation, parole, prison, or jail sentences.

Police in Hays, Kansas recently raided the hospital room of a terminally ill cancer patient, confiscating a THC-infused edible paste and vaping device said to contain cannabinoids. The patient was given a ticket and court summons but law enforcement later dropped the charges.

Kansas state Sen. Rob Olsen said he will introduce a medical cannabis legalization proposal at the start of the next legislative session.

Kansas lawmakers will be considering medical cannabis reforms during two meetings this month to review the bill and hear input from law enforcement, state agencies, and the public.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) has signed a bill allowing state residents to consume FDA-approved drugs derived from cannabis.

Medical cannabis legislation in Kansas has again failed for the year after stalling in the state Senate.

A recent study by the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine found that feeding cattle CBDA-rich hemp decreased the animals’ stress hormone cortisol and inflammation biomarkers.

Shops in Kansas have been asked to turn over their delta-8 THC inventory after Attorney General Derek Schmidt said any hemp product intended for consumption is prohibited.

Cannabis advocates have formed the Kansas Cannabis Chamber of Commerce which will push for industry reforms.

Kansas Gov. Kelly Chambers (D) has proposed adopting medical cannabis legalization in the state and using funds from the program to pay for expansions to Medicaid.

Barry Grissom, former U.S. attorney and current corporate counsel for medical cannabis investment firm Electrum Partners, is running for a U.S. Senate seat in Kansas. Grissom has previously called cannabis advocates “patriots” who are standing up for liberty.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has signed Claire and Lola’s Law, which legalizes low-THC cannabis oils for patients with “debilitating medical conditions.” Under the law, patients would be able to access oils containing no more than 5 percent THC.