The chance for legalized medical cannabis in Kansas is appearing to be dim. Even after a House committee advanced a compromise proposal on Tuesday.
The compromise would be more restrictive than the proposal considered in early May. The intent is to win over the support of more conservative lawmakers. But they want increased guardrails on a potential program for medical cannabis in Kansas.
House and Senate leaders acknowledged it would be difficult for the bill to get across the finish line. Lawmakers are in the final days of the 2021 session. So, marijuana advocates might have to wait until next year to see any real change.
“For that to happen this year, it would be pretty tough,” said House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins.
Senate President Ty Masterson concurred with Hawkins. He told reporters that it would be difficult to envision his chamber having the time to consider the issue in the remaining week of this session.
Hawkins noted that the proposal might gain the full House consideration in the coming days. But that would be historic in-and-of-itself.
Lawmakers do appear optimistic that progress on the issue sets up its consideration and approval in 2022.
Medical Cannabis Proposal
Compared to other states with a legal medical cannabis market, the proposal that was approved by the House Federal and State Affairs committee is much more restrictive.
The proposal would allow counties to ban any dispensaries from operating in their jurisdiction. It would also require patients to have at least a six-month relationship with their doctor before medical cannabis could be prescribed.
The list of eligible conditions for a medical cannabis card would be rather restrictive. But the proposal will create a pathway for new ailments to be added after a revisory panel reviews them.
Opponents to medical cannabis fear that looser restrictions would lead to legalizing marijuana for recreational adult use.
The final version of this compromise proposal could gain traction in the House and Senate. But if it doesn’t happen this year, advocates are hopeful it could kick off the session next year.
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